,libr>ies47       ,! ,riv]side          
,biographical ,s]ies  ,,&rew ,,jackson1 
by ,w4 ,g4 ,,br[n ,,james ,b4 ,,eads1 by
 ,,l\is ,,h[ ,,b5jam9 ,,frankl91 by     
,,paul ,e4 ,,m ,,pet] ,,coop]1 by ,r4   
,w4 ,,raymond ,,?omas ,,jeff]son1 by ,h4
 ,c4 ,,m]w9  ,,9 ,,prep>ation  ,,william
 ,,p5n ,,g5]al ,,grant ,,lewis ,,&      
,,cl>ke  ,ea* ab\t #ajj pages1 #afmo1 ) 
photogravure portrait1 #ge c5ts4        
,,h\ghton1 ,,miffl9  ,,co4 ,,bo/on ,,&  
,,new ,,york    ,illu/ration3 ,jas4 ,b4 
,eads     ,,james ,b4 ,,eads    ,,by    
,,l\is ,,h[    ,,h\ghton1 ,,miffl9 ,,&  
,,company ,bo/on3 #d ,p>k ,/reet2 ,new  
,york3 #aa ,ea/ ,sev5te5? ,/reet        
,*icago3 #cgh-chh ,waba% ,av5ue  ,!     
,riv]side ,press1 ,cambridge            
,,copyright1 #aijj1 ,,by ,,l\is ,,h[    
,,all ,,rights ,,res]v$     ,,preface   
,i mu/ m5tion ) p>ticul> gratitude      
sev]al books t 7 invaluable 9 prep>+ ?is
 sket*1 9 supplem5t+ ! usual            
biographical diction>ies & naval        
hi/ories4 ,^! are3 ,capta9 ,mahan's ,!  

,gulf & ,inl& ,wat]s2 ,boynton's        
picturesque ,hi/ory ( ! ,am]ican ,navy  
dur+ ! ,great ,rebellion2 ,mr4 ,fiske's 
,mississippi ,valley 9 ! ,civil ,w>2    
,snead's ,! ,fight = ,miss\ri2 ,mr4 ,c4 
,m4 ,woodw>d's ,hi/ory ( ! ,/4 ,l\is    
,bridge2 ,mr4 ,e/ill ,mc,henry's edition
 ( ,eads's ,pap]s & ,addresses1 ) a     
biography2 two memoirs by ,s5ores       
,francisco de ,g>ay & ,ignacio ,g>fias1 
( ! ,mexican ,association ( ,civil      
,eng9e]s2 &1 above all1 sev]al memoirs &
 addresses & ! hi/ory ( ! ,jetties by   
,mr4 ,elm] ,l4 ,cor!ll1 ,c4 ,e41 )\t :i*
 ,i c\ld sc>cely h writt5 ?is ,life4  ,i
 mu/ also cordially ?ank = k9d p]sonal  
aid & advice ,*ancellor ,*apl9 7(       
,wa%+ton ,univ]sity71 ,dr4 ,william     
,taussig1 ,mr4 ,alb]t ,bu%nell ,h>t1    
,major ,george ,montague ,:eel] ( !     
,eng9e] ,corps 7retir$71 ,messrs4 ,w9/on
 ,*ur*ill1 ,william ,l4 ,wright1 ,c4    
,donovan1 ,e4 ,l4 ,cor!ll 7:o 0 z oblig+
 z he 0 helpful71 ,e/ill ,mc,henry &    
,john ,a4 ,ubsdell1 ,mrs4 ,susan ,f4    

,/ev5s1 & especially my "m--to ^: help &
 enc\ragem5t ?is ,life ( h] fa!r is due4
  ,l4 ,h4  ,,rockport1 ,,mass41 ,july   
#cj1 #aijj4     ,,cont5ts   ,,*ap4      
,,page    ,i4 ,,e>ly ,,tra9+            
#a   ,,ii4 ,,! ,,gunboats               
#bb  ,,iii4 ,,! ,,bridge                
#di   ,,iv4 ,,! ,,jetties               
#ge    ,v4 ,,! ,,%ip-,,railway          
#aje     ,,james ,b4 ,,eads     ,i      
,,e>ly ,,tra9+   ,james ,bu*anan ,eads 0
 born 9 ,lawr5ceburg1 ,indiana1 ,may    
#bc1 #ahbj4 ,bo? ! ,eads family1 :o came
 f ,m>yl&1 & 8 "m's p1 ! ,bu*anans1 :o 7
 orig9ally ,iri%1 7 g5tlefolk2 b        
,james's fa!r nev] 0 v prosp]\s4 ,! son1
 h[ev]1 w5t to s*ool1 & he %[$ e>ly a v 
special love = ma*9]y1 obs]v+ ) great   
int]e/ ev]y?+ ( t k9d t he came ^u4 ,= a
 :ile ! family liv$ 9 ,c9c9nati2 f !re  
!y remov$ 9 #ahbi to ,l\isville4 ,9 ^?  
days1 :5 /eamboats 7 ! be/ (            
conveyances1 ! ,ohio ,riv] =m$ a natural
 highway betwe5 ! two t[ns4 ,on ! trip !
 small boy ( n9e hung ar\nd ! eng9e ( ! 

boat1 consid]+ x ) s mu* wond] &        
admiration t f9ally ! eng9e]1 :o f\nd   
him an apt pupil1 expla9$ ! v>i\s p>ts (
 ! me*anism to him4  ,he really _h      
und]/ood 8 lesson well1 = two ye>s lat]1
 9 ! little work%op t 8 fa!r _h fitt$ up
 = him1 he made a small eng9e :i* ran by
 /eam4 ,besides he made models (        
sawmills1 fire-eng9es1 /eamboats1 &     
electrotyp+ ma*9es4 ,except su* *ance   
in/ruction z t :i* he f\nd on ! boat1 he
 _h _h no tea*+ 9 me*anics1 b work$ ) ! 
+5uity ( _m a bright boy2 = he is by no 
means ! only "o :o ev] took ap>t & put  
toge!r ! family clock1 or ev5 a         
lev]-wat*1 ) no o!r tool ?an a p5knife4 
,"o ( 8 inv5tions1 :i* %[s n s mu* 8    
tal5t z 8 true boyi%ness1 0 a small     
box-wagon1 op5 only und]nea? & ) a hole 
9 front1 :i*1 sudd5ly produc$ be=e 8 "m 
& si/]s1 ran my/]i\sly across ! room4 ,!
 motive p[] conceal$ )9 ?is agreeable   
toy 0 f\nd to be a live rat4  ,s mu* is 
(t5 said ( ! precocity ( y\?ful g5iuses1
 t x is good to "k t "y ,eads 0 aft] all

 a real fle%-&-blood boy1 a boy s       
mis*iev\s t1 z he 0 ! only son1 8 fa!r  
hir$ a neighbor boy to come & play )    
him4 ,c]ta9ly he 0 v clev]2 b t he _h   
ev5 bett] qualities ?an clev]ness is %[n
 by 8 fir/ actions on 8 arrival at ,sa9t
 ,l\is4  ,8 fa!r1 decid+ to move f>!r   
we/1 _h s5t ahead ! "m1 ! two daught]s j
 gr[n1 & ! lad ( ?irte51 int5d+ to foll[
 ) supplies = op5+ a %op4 ,aga9 ! r\te 0
 by riv]4 ,arriv$ at ,sa9t ,l\is1 ! boat
 caught fire2 & e>ly on a cold morn+ !  
family set foot1 sc>cely clo!d1 n only 9
 ! city ( :i* ! "y boy 0 to be "o day ! 
lead+ citiz51 b on ! v spot1 x is said1 
:]e he 0 aft]w>ds to base "o pi] ( 8    
great bridge4 ,on t bleak morn+1 h[ev]1 
none ( !m =esaw a bright future1 or     
inde$ any?+ b a di/ressful pres5t4 ,"s  
ladies ( ! old ,fr5* families ( ! t[n 7 
v k9d to ! =lorn wom52 & once on h] feet
 ,mrs4 ,eads set ab\t support+ h]self & 
h] *ildr54 ,9 ^? days1 :5 sometimes a   
lett] took a week to g a c\ple ( hundr$ 
miles1 %e 0 n ! "o to wait = help f h]  

husb&2 s %e imm$iately r5t$ a h\se &    
took bo>d]s4 ,! boy1 z res\rceful &     
self-reliant z 8 "m1 n[ %[$ 8 en]gy z   
well z 8 devotion by do+ ! fir/ ?+ he   
f\nd to help h]4 ,9 go+ along ! /reet he
 saw "s apples = sale1 &1 buy+ z _m ( !m
 z he c\ld af=d1 he p$dl$ !m to !       
pass]s-by4  ,t1 ( c\rse1 0 no p]man5t   
occupation = a well-br$ boy1 ^:         
associations & abilities 7 bo? high4    
,nev]!less 8 family c\ld no long] af=d  
to h him at s*ool1 & x 0 necess>y = him 
to d "s sort ( "w4 ,"o ( 8 "m's bo>d]s1 
a ,mr4 ,b>rett ,williams1 (f]$ him a    
position 9 8 m]cantile h\se4 ,be=e long 
?is g5tleman discov]$ 8 "y employee's   
aptitude & ov]:elm+ love = me*anics1 &  
k9dly all[$ ! lad ! use ( 8 own libr>y4 
,/udy+ at night ! sci5tific books :i* he
 f\nd !re1 ,eads acquir$ 8 fir/         
!oretical k ( eng9e]+4 ,9 ?is way1 )\t  
tea*]s1 he began1 9 a "t :5 !re 0 no    
free high] education1 to educate        
himself2 & bo? !n & ev] aft] he 0 a     
con/ant read] n only ( sci5tific works1 

b ( all k9ds ( books4 ,?is practical    
exp]i5ce 9 help+ to support 8 family & 9
 gett+ 8 own education1 :ile he 0 /ill s
 "y a lad1 0 ! s*ool 9 :i* he le>n$     
self-reliance4 ,x is pleasant to "k t ! 
e>ne/ness ( life did n take all ( 8     
boyi%ness away f him1 = x mu/ h be5 :ile
 he 0 h>d at "w t he built a real       
/eamboat1 six feet long1 & navigat$ x on
 ,*\teau's ,pond4  ,= five ye>s he 0 a  
cl]k 9 ! dry-goods h\se4 ,at ! end ( t  
"t1 probably because he 0 9 poor heal?1 
he left t position = "o t w\ld take him 
m into ! op5 air4 ,?\gh 8 heal? 0 n     
/rong1 he 0 by no means an invalid2 = at
 n9ete5 8 muscles 7 solid & 8 fund (    
n]v\s en]gy 0 inexhau/ible4 ,s1 ) !     
natural ta/e ( a boy = a m excit+ life1 
he took a position z cl]k on a          
,mississippi ,riv] /eamboat4 ,:ile he _h
 no?+ to d ) actually runn+ ! boat1 he  
c]ta9ly kept 8 eyes op5 to ev]y?+ go+ on
 bo? on bo>d & 9 ! riv]2 & began !n to  
make an acqua9tance ) ! /ream :i* 0 lat]
 to be ! sc5e ( 8 greate/ labors4 ,if   

ev] ,nature play$ a prom95t "p 9 ! life 
( a man1 ! ,mississippi did 9 t ( ,eads2
 = x became ! opportunity = ?ree ( 8    
*ief works1 & f x he le>n$ p]haps m ( ! 
laws ( sci5ce ?an f all ! books he ev]  
read4 ,to und]/& 8 life1 "o mu/ h "s    
idea ( ! huge riv]1 :i* seems to fl[    
sluggi%ly or rapidly ?r\gh 8 :ole c>e]4 
,! ,mississippi ,riv]1 ) its bran*es1   
dra9s ! l>g] "p ( ! :ole ,unit$         
,/ates1--t is1 f ! ,alleghanies on ! ea/
 to ! ,rockies on ! we/4 ,! ma9 /ream1  
#dbjj miles long1 & 9 "s places ov] a   
mile wide1 fl[s along ) trem5d\s =ce1   
ceaselessly eat+ away its yell[ clay    
banks4 ,! wat]1 full ( s$im5t1 is ( a   
?ick dull br[n color4 ,! clay t x wa%es 
(f 9 ! b5ds x deposits on ! juts ( l&1  
?us =m+ great] & great] curves2 s t (t5 
! di/ance betwe5 two po9ts is v mu* less
 by l& ?an by wat]4 ,sometimes !re are  
only a few y>ds across ! neck ( a       
p59sula1 ar\nd :i* ! *annel di/ance is  
_m miles2 & on "o side ! level ( ! riv] 
is sev]al feet high] ?an on ! o!r4      

,gradually ! wat] keeps eat+ its way1   
until x =ces a passage ?r\gh ! neck1 &  
!n ! torr5t ru%es ?r\gh 9 a cascade1 ) a
 ro> t c be he>d = miles4 ,! banks      
dissolve l sug>1 & ! next day /eamboats 
c cross :]e ! day be=e 7 fields & may be
 h\ses4 ,besides ?is1 ! curr5t is       
con/antly wa%+ away & build+ up n only  
hidd5 b>s on ! riv] bottom1 b ev5 isl&s 
above its surface4 ,9 ! fall & 9 ! spr+ 
x rises ) su* t]rify+ rapidity t "s ye>s
 x quickly ov]fl[s its banks 9 c]ta9    
rea*es till x is sixty miles wide4      
,h\ses & trees torn f _! places1 &      
wrecks ( boats1 float or protrude f !   
bottom ( ?is br[n lake4 ,& :5 ! flood   
subsides1 ! curr5t (t5 *ooses a new &   
*ang$ *annel4 ,amid ! ev]-v>y+ dang]s ( 
su* a riv] ! only safety = /eamboats is 
9 a race ( pilots s le>n$ & s al]t z to 
h ! %ift+ b>s & c\rses always 9 _! m9ds4
 ,9 #ahci1 :5 /eamboats 7 ! only means (
 rapid transit 9 ! ,we/1 :5 !re 7 m ( !m
 9 ! h>bor ( ! little t[n ( ,sa9t ,l\is 
?an to-day :5 x is a great city1 ?is    

class ( pilots 0 a l>ge & a v           
respectable "o4 ,mu* ( _! k ( ! riv] 0  
:at "y ,eads le>n$ :ile he 0 a cl]k     
among !m2 & z "t w5t on1 he came to     
realize t al?\gh ! ,mississippi seems s 
caprici\s 9 its t]rible games t "o w\ld 
?9k !m ! result ( *ance1 yet 9 tru?1 !y 
are controll$ by laws z immutable z !   
,creator4  ,despite all c>e t c\ld be   
us$1 /eamboats 7 e week sunk & wreck$1 &
 ) _! valuable eng9es1 boil]s1 & c>goes 
7 (t5 left :]e !y lay 9 ! ceaseless br[n
 curr5t4 ,aft] he _h be5 = ?ree ye>s on 
! riv]1 ,eads gave up 8 cl]k%ip to g    
into ! bus9ess ( rais+ ^! boats1 _!     
ma*9]y1 & _! freight4 ,9 #ahdb1 at ! age
 ( tw5ty-two1 he =m$ a p>tn]%ip ) ,case 
,nelson1 boat-build]s4 ,8 fir/ appe>ance
 9 ! new bus9ess 0 an exp]i5ce t well   
%[s 8 quick inv5tive g5ius1 8 p]si/5cy1 
& 8 c\rage4 ,:ile 8 div+-bell boat 0    
build+1 a b>ge load$ ) pig-lead sank 9 !
 rapids at ,keokuk1 #bab miles f ,sa9t  
,l\is4 ,a contract hav+ be5 made ) its  
own]s1 ,eads hurri$ up !re to rescue !  

freight f fifte5 feet ( wat]4 ,he _h no 
k himself ( div+-armor2 b he _h engag$ a
 skill$ div] f ! ,great ,lakes1 :o      
br\ght 8 own app>atus4 ,!y set out 9 a  
b>ge & an*or$ ov] ! wreck2 b1 once !re1 
!y soon discov]$ t ! curr5t 0 s exce$+ly
 rapid t ! div] c\ld d no?+ 9 x4 ,eads  
at once return$ to ,keokuk1 &1 buy+ a   
=ty-gallon :iskey hog%ead1 took x out to
 ! wreck2 & hav+ knock$ out "o head1 he 
slung pigs ( lead r\nd 8 improvis$      
div+-bell1 made a seat inside x1 rigg$ x
 to 8 d]rick & air-pumps1 & !n ask$ !   
div] to g d[n 9 x4 ,! div] hav+ v       
naturally refus$1 ,eads on ! spot set   
himself a prec$5t :i*1 dur+ 8 aft] life1
 he nev] broke1--say+ t he w\ld n ask an
 employee to g :]e he w\ld n tru/       
himself1 he got inside 8 hog%ead & 0    
l[]$ into ! riv]4 ,8 assi/ants 7 unus$  
to manag+ div+-bells1 & :5 !y came to   
haul him up ! d]rick got out ( ord]4 ,by
 ma9 =ce !y 7 able to raise ! hog%ead to
 ! surface1 b n above x4 ,z ! air-pump  
cont9u$ to "w all ! :ile1 ,eads1 ?\gh   

wond]+ :at 0 amiss1 sat pati5tly 9 8    
place1 till f9ally he saw a h& appe> "u 
! rim ( ! hog%ead4 ,seiz+ ?is1 he duck$ 
"u & got out4 ,al?\gh ! r\gh div+-bell  
work$ ?us awkw>dly at fir/1 x s]v$ well 
en\gh1 & f9ally all ( ! lo/ freight 0   
sav$4  ,a "y man s fe>less1 s en]getic1 
& s able to inv5t me*anical devices at  
sudd5 ne$1 0 b\nd to succe$ 9 a bus9ess 
l ?is4 ,& "y ,eads did succe$4 ,=tune1  
he believ$1 favors ! brave2 & 8 motto 01
 ,drive on6  ,! insurance companies 7   
will+ to give ! wreck]s a l>ge int]e/1  
sometimes z mu* z a half1 ( ! rescu$    
c>goes2 & !re 0 a law by :i* a vessel or
 freight t _h be5 wreck$ = five ye>s    
belong$ to :oev] c\ld get x up4 ,eads & 
8 p>tn]s work$ up & d[n ! riv] = hundr$s
 ( miles4 ,! fir/ div+-bell boat 0      
foll[$ by a l>g] "o1 provid$ ) ma*9]y = 
pump+ out s&1 & = rais+ :ole hulls4     
,:ile 9 ?is haz>d\s bus9ess ,eads inv5t$
 _m new appliances = use 9 its v>i\s    
bran*es4 ,because he 0 9 *>ge ( a boat p
 began to call ! "y wreck] ,capta9      

,eads1 & t 0 ! only reason = a title :i*
 clung to him always4 ,he grew n[ to "k 
! riv] z few h ev] kn[n x1--8 op]ations 
ext5d$ f ,gal5a1 ,ill9ois1 to ! ,balize 
at ! riv]'s v m\?1 & ev5 into !         
tribut>ies ( ! ,mississippi1--& he us$  
to say t !re 0 n a /ret* ( fifty miles 9
 ! twelve hundr$ betwe5 ,sa9t ,l\is &   
,new ,orleans 9 :i* he _h n /ood on !   
bottom "u 8 div+-bell4  ,) ! same       
devotion to 8 p>5ts z :5 he p$dl$ !     
apples 9 ! /reet1 ,eads n[ b\ght !m a   
f>m 9 ,i[a1 & provid$ 9 e way he c\ld = 
_! com=t4 ,b beyond ! ord9>y desire (   
mak+ a =tune = !m1 = himself1 & = a new 
int]e/ t 0 com+ into 8 life1 x does n   
appe> t !re 7 9 8 m9d any unusual       
ambitions1 any ( ! dreams ( g5ius4 ,z   
yet he 0 only a h>d-work+1 e>ne/ "y man1
 extraord9>ily clev] to be sure1 b f\nd+
 on t clev]ness no visions ( great r5[n 
9 ! future4 ,p]haps ?is 0 because he _h 
en\gh to dream ( 9 ! pres5t1 en\gh hopes
 ( purely dome/ic happ9ess to look      
t[>ds4 ,= he _h fall5 9 love ) a ,miss  

,m>?a ,dillon1 a "y lady ( ab\t 8 own   
age1 daught] ( a ri* man 9 ,sa9t ,l\is4 
,! fa!r disapprov$ ( ! mat*1 n only     
because he ?\ght ! suitor too "y1 too   
poor1 too unkn[n1 b because he wi%$ to  
keep 8 daught] ) him1 & = o!r less      
reasonable causes4  ,! lett]s betwe5 !  
engag$ c\ple %[ ,eads at tw5ty-five z a 
ke51 exp]i5c$1 & yet an unsophi/icat$ "y
 man2 g5]\s1 pr\d1 brave1 & c\rte\s2 a  
lov] ( ,nature1 ( poetry1 ( p1 & ( good 
books2 an invet]ate e>ly ris]2 rev]5d 9 
religion1 & yet1 :ile nom9ally a        
,ca?olic1 really a free-?9k]2 s5tim5tal 
9 8 feel+s almo/ z if he _h liv$ a      
c5tury soon]1 & at ! same "t controll+ 8
 true & deep emotions1 & %[+ 8 /rong    
love only to ^? he lov$4  ,at la/ ,eads 
& ,miss ,dillon 7 m>ri$1 he be+ ov]     
tw5ty-five at ! "t1 %e ne>ly tw5ty-f\r4 
,eads !n sold out 8 wreck+ bus9ess &    
left ! riv]4 ,he probably made ?is *ange
 because he hop$ !reby n only to be m ) 
8 wife1 b also to support h] 9 ! com=t  
%e _h be5 us$ to1 & to %[ h] fa!r t he  

c\ld d s4 ,! new ent]prise1 into :i* at 
lea/ "o ( 8 old p>tn]s ent]$ ) him1 &   
into :i* he put all 8 money1 0 !        
manufacture ( glass2 & !y built ! fir/  
glass factory we/ ( ! ,ohio ,riv]4 ,he  
_h to g to ,pittsburg--!n a long j\rney 
by boat1 /age1 & rail--to get tra9$     
workm5 & to le>n ! process himself4     
,almo/ all ( ! necess>y +r$i5ts &       
app>atus _h to be s5t = to ,pittsburg1  
to ,clevel&1 or to ,new ,york2 & !y 7   
(t5 sl[ 9 arriv+ & !reby made matt]s    
drag consid]ably4 ,/ill !re 0 always    
some?+ to d1 & ,eads1 ! only "o ( !     
p>tn]s :o und]/ood ! trade1 0 =c$ to "w 
extraord9>ily h>d4 ,) 8 usual p]si/5ce  
he /uck to x pluckily1 (t5 /ay+ up late 
into ! night & ris+ ! next day be=e dawn
 to ov]see op]ations4 ,he 0 also        
indisp5sable = 8 faculty ( manag+ m52 & 
a lett] to 8 wife writt5 on 8           
tw5ty-sev5? bir?day 7#ahdg7 %[s h[ /rong
 ! man already 0 9 t p[] ( gett+ ! mo/ f
 a workman1 :i* 0 aft]w>ds to c\nt = s  
mu* 9 8 be/ "w4 ,an employ]1 he says1   

mu/ h con/ant control ( 8 temp]1 & be   
able to speak pleasantly to "o man !    
next mom5t aft] hav+ spok5 9 ! h>%e/    
mann] to ano!r1 & ev5 to give ! same man
 a pleasant reply a few m9utes aft] hav+
 correct$ him4 ,self mu/ be left out ( !
 matt] entirely1 & a man or boy spok5 to
 only z conc]ns 8 conduct2 & ! au?ority 
:i* ! controll] has ov] ! controll$1 us$
 only :5 absolutely necess>y1 & !n ) !  
utmo/ promptness4  ,h[ev]1 despite all 8
 firmness & p]sev]ance1 ! difficulties (
 ! glassworks became great] & great]2 & 
at la/1 aft] hav+ be5 run two ye>s1 !y 7
 %ut d[n4 ,eads 0 left ) debts (        
#be1jjj4 ,! v unusual action ( 8        
cr$itors 9 ?is crisis %[s :at confid5ce 
!y _h 9 8 integrity & 9 8 ability2 = !y 
advanc$ him #aejj ) :i* to g back into !
 wreck+ bus9ess1 & he at once rejo9$ 8  
=m] p>tn]s4 ,he n[ work$ h>d]1 if       
possible1 ?an ev]2 = he felt1 z he wrote
 to 8 wife1 t ) a man 9 debt x _c be    
said t 8 "t is 8 own4 ,p[]ful z he 0    
physically1 8 heal? 0 n good1 b ev5 9   

sickness he sc>cely ceas$ to toil dur+ !
 fir/ ye> or two2 & at ! end ( t5 ye>s1 
n only _h all 8 debts be5 long s9ce     
paid1 b 8 firm 0 wor? half a million    
doll>s4  ,"w1 h[ev]1 0 to him only a    
means to an end4 ,! real dignity ( "* he
 knew to lie 9 culture4 ,to a small boy 
he s5ds1 9 "o ( 8 lett]s1 ! message t he
 %\ld be a good boy & /udy h>d1 z t is !
 only way to be respect$ :5 he is gr[n4 
,ev5 9 8 amusem5ts 8 m9d s\ght          
occupation3 we f9d him at night on !    
div+-bell boat play+ *ess1 & 9 lat] ye>s
 he _h become unusually adept at t game4
  ,! wreck+ bus9ess 0 full ( life &     
action4 ,"h & !re1 up & d[n ! riv]1 &   
into its bran*es1 :]ev] a boat 0 wreck$ 
or burn$ or run agr\nd1 ! ,subm>9e      
hurri$ (f to rea* ! spot be=e o!r       
wreck]s4 ,"u _! bell ! div]s got at !   
eng9es1 boil]s1 & freight1 :ile ! pumps1
 work$ f above1 cle>$ away ! s&2 &      
sometimes by means ( great *a9s &       
d]ricks ! v hull itself w\ld be lift$ & 
t[$ a%ore4 ,b on t huge riv]1 :i* at    

times w\ld sudd5ly rise ?ree feet 9 a   
s+le night1 & ^: /rong curr5t play$ su* 
giant pranks z turn+ ov] a wreck 9 !    
*a9s t 7 rais+ x1 !re 0 ne$ ( et]nal    
vigilance & agility4 ,h[ev]1 ,eads 0 m  
on 8 own gr\nd on ! riv] ?an on ! %ore1 
& 8 bus9ess s increas$ t he 0 soon runn+
 f\r div+-bell boats4 ,9 #ahdi tw5ty-n9e
 boats 7 burn$ at ! levee 9 ,sa9t ,l\is 
9 "o big fire1 & mo/ ( _! rema9s 7      
remov$ by him4 ,w9t] z well z summ] ! "w
 w5t on2 & ! task ( cutt+ out a vessel  
wreck$ 9 an ice-gorge1 or ( rais+ "o f  
b5ea? ! ice1 mu/ h be5 z try+ z walk+ ! 
riv] bottom 9 se>* ( a wreck4 ,eads     
himself1 ye>s lat]1 ?us describes "o ( 8
 _m exp]i5ces3 ,five miles bel[ ,cairo1 
,i se>*$ ! riv] bottom = ! wreck ( !    
,neptune1 = m ?an sixty days1 & 9 a     
di/ance ( ?ree miles4 ,my boat 0 held by
 a long an*or l9e1 & 0 swung f side to  
side ( ! *annel1 ov] a di/ance ( #ejj   
feet1 by side an*or l9es1 :ile ,i walk$ 
on ! riv] bottom "u ! bell across !     
*annel4 ,! boat 0 !n dropp$ tw5ty feet  

f>!r d[n /ream1 & ,i !n walk$ back aga9 
z %e 0 haul$ t[>ds ! o!r %ore4 ,9 ?is   
way ,i walk$ on ! bottom f\r h\rs at    
lea/1 e day 7,sundays except$7 dur+ t   
"t4 ,= a day's "w ! city ( ,sa9t ,l\is  
gave him #hj1 out ( :i* he paid 8 own   
workm54 ,he 0 s prosp]\s t1 z he wrote  
to 8 wife1 !re 0 no ne$ = him to jo9 !  
ru% to ,cali=nia to get gold2 & 8       
success caus$ mu* envy among 8 rivals4  
,he began to cle> ! *annel ( !          
,mississippi f "s ( its ob/ructions & to
 improve ! h>bor ( ,sa9t ,l\is4  ,9     
#ahef he knew 8 "w s well t he w5t to   
,wa%+ton & propos$ to ,congress to      
remove all ! snags & wrecks f ! ,we/]n  
riv]s1--! ,mississippi1 ! ,miss\ri1 !   
,arkansas1 & ! ,ohio1--& to keep _!     
*annels op5 = a t]m ( ye>s4 ,a bill to t
 purpose pass$ ! ,h\se1 b 9 ! ,s5ate x 0
 defeat$ by ,jeff]son ,davis & o!rs4 ,! 
next ye>1 on acc\nt ( poor heal?1 ,eads 
retir$ f bus9ess1 b he c>ri$ ) him a    
=tune4 ,he _h n succe$$ 9 8 purpose at  
,wa%+ton1 b 8 "n 0 kn[n !re & rememb]$4 

,mean:ile 8 wife _h di$1 & two ye>s lat]
 he _h m>ri$ ! wid[ ( a fir/ c\s94 ,) 8 
second wife he made 8 fir/ trip to      
,europe1--! fir/ ( v _m he 0 de/9$ to   
make4 ,9 #aheg1 be+ ?irty-sev5 ye>s old1
 he retir$1 z ,i h said1 f bus9ess4  ,8 
y\?ful hopes1 ! ord9>y ambitions ( m51 7
 realiz$4 ,he _h be5 a poor boy3 at only
 ?irty-sev5 he 0 ri*1--v ri* = ! times &
 = ! place4 ,f 8 proposals to !         
gov]nm5t1 we may imag9e t he n[ _h      
broad] dreams ( usefulness4 ,b 8 fir/   
proposition t[>d riv] improvem5t _h be5 
*eck$4 ,he _h b\ght a l>ge h\se &       
gr\nds4 ,he made = himself a rose-arbor1
 & = f\r ye>s he 0 z mu* unoccupi$ z 8  
lively m9d p]mitt$4 ,he 0 at any rate   
:at is call$ a man ( leisure4  ,!n1 f\r 
ye>s be+ pass$1 he receiv$ f ,wa%+ton1 f
 8 fri5d ,attorney-,g5]al ,bates1 a     
lett] writt5 ?ree days aft] ! surr5d] ( 
,=t ,sumt]1 :i* said3 ,be n surpris$ if 
y are call$ "h sudd5ly by telegram4 ,if 
call$1 come in/antly4 ,9 a c]ta9        
cont+5cy x w be necess>y to h ! aid ( ! 

mo/ ?or\gh k ( our ,we/]n riv]s1 & ! use
 ( /eam on !m1 & 9 t ev5t ,i advis$ t y 
%\ld be consult$4  ,! gov]nm5t 0 ?9k+ ( 
plac+ gunboats to occupy & to def5d !   
,we/]n wat]s4     ,,ii  ,,! ,,gunboats  
,at ! beg9n+ ( ! ,civil ,w> ! ,/ate (   
,miss\ri & ! city ( ,sa9t ,l\is 7 9 a v 
confus$ condition4 ,a bord] slave ,/ate1
 ,miss\ri conta9$ a great _m p]sons (   
,s\!rn bir? & ,s\!rn sympa?ies2 &       
besides a good _m /rong ,nor!rn m51     
,sa9t ,l\is _h also a consid]able ,g]man
 population1 all /an* ,unioni/s4 ,b     
except+ ! ,g]mans & "o or two dauntless 
cle>-see+ m51 :o read ! future1 few     
p]sons 9 ei!r p>ty wi%$ to fight if     
fight+ c\ld possibly be avoid$4 ,!      
gov]nor1 a ,s\!rn man1 :ile hesitat+ at 
actual secession1 wi%$ & tri$ to control
 ! p[] ( ! ,/ate s t at ne$ x might help
 ! ,s\?2 & :ile pr(ess+ loyalty1 he did 
all he c\ld to prove 8 disloyalty to !  
,union4 ,! legislature1 h[ev]1 w\ld n   
pass a bill to arm ! ,/ate1 !reby1 says 
an hi/orian1 caus+ ! ,s\? to su/a9 a    

defeat m disa/r\s to its indep5d5ce ?an 
any :i* !reaft] befell its arms1 d[n to 
! fall ( ,vicksburg4 ,9 response to     
,l9coln's call = troops1 ! gov]nor      
refus$ to s5d any f ,miss\ri4 ,an       
extraord9>y /ate conv5tion1 call$ 9 ?is 
crisis1 vot$ aga9/ secession4 ,see+ t ! 
gov]nor1 not)/&+ ?is1 0 cov]tly aim+ at 
?r[+ himself & ! ,/ate1 s f> z he c\ld1 
9 ) ! ,conf$]acy1 "y ,frank ,blair &    
,g5]al ,na?aniel ,lyon1 c>ry+ ?+s ) a   
high h&1 seiz$ & disp]s$ ! /ate militia 
encamp$ 9 ,sa9t ,l\is1 got control (    
almo/ all ! ,f$]al arms 9 ! ,/ate1 & )  
outside aid & help f ! regul> army1 *as$
 ! gov]nor f ! capital1 & held him at   
bay long en\gh = ! conv5tion to depose  
him & ! ,g5]al ,assembly1 & to e/abli% a
 /ate gov]nm5t loyal to ! ,union4  ,dur+
 all ^! lively ev5ts ,sa9t ,l\is 0 9    
confusion4 ,!re 7 _m m9ds 9 !           
t[n--secessioni/s1 conditional &        
unconditional unioni/s1 submissioni/s3  
"s :o want$ w>1 "s :o want$ only to     
pres]ve peace s t !y might keep _! homes

 & =tunes safe1 ev5 on condition (      
ab&on+ slav]y4  ,james ,b4 ,eads did n  
own a slave1 nor did he approve (       
slav]y1 b among 8 fri5ds & associates   
!re 7 _m :o did own !m1 & _m            
secessioni/s4 ,x is curi\s to obs]ve h[ 
little a diff]5ce ( op9ion on ^! po9ts1 
t _h become s vital1 0 able to put      
p]sonal enmity among m5 :o 7 true       
fri5ds4 ,( c\rse1 among m]e acqua9tances
 !re 7 _m in/ances ( bitt]ness & taunt+4
 ,?r\gh x all1 ,eads1 ) 8 r>e tact & 8  
exquisite mann]s1 /e]$ )\t collision1   
(f5d+ none ( ^? :o 7 n on 8 side4 ,& yet
 we are pres5tly to see :at a deep      
int]e/ 8 side _h = him1 & h[ mu* he 0   
able & will+ to d = x4  ,betwe5 !       
election & ! inauguration ( ,l9coln1    
,eads & ?ree o!r prom95t citiz5s ( ,sa9t
 ,l\is wrote a lett] to him1 express+ _!
 fe>s t an attempt at secession w\ld be 
made1 & urg+ ! policy ( hav+ a secret>y 
( /ate f "o ( ! slave ,/ates4 ,& !y     
recomm5d$1 = purity ( "*1 /]n integrity1
 exalt$ patriotism1 & enlight5$         

/atesman%ip1 ,edw>d ,bates1 born 9      
,virg9ia1 m>ri$ into a ,s\? ,c>ol9a     
family1 & long resid5t 9 ,miss\ri4 ,a   
fir/ draught ( ?is lett] is 9 ,eads's   
h&writ+4 ,:5 ! new cab9et 0 =m$1 ,bates1
 a p]sonal fri5d ( ,l9coln's z well z ( 
,eads's1 0 giv5 a position 9 x1 t (     
attorney-g5]al4 ,x 0 he :o1 ?ree days   
aft] ,sumt] 0 fir$ on1 wrote ! lett]1   
already quot$1 tell+ ,eads to expect a  
telegram call+ him to ,wa%+ton =        
consultation on ! be/ me?od ( def5d+ &  
occupy+ ! ,we/]n riv]s4 ,eads himself 0 
by ?is "t no believ] 9 a def5sive policy
 = ! gov]nm5t4 ,aft] ,sumt] he _h       
already writt5 to ,bates advocat+       
det]m9$ & vigor\s measures4 ,s1 :5 !    
telegram soon foll[$ ! lett]1 he 0 glad 
to ha/5 to ,wa%+ton 9 ord] to be ( use4 
,!re he 0 introduc$ to ! ,secret>y & to 
! ,assi/ant ,secret>y ( ! ,navy4  ,!    
importance ( controll+ ! ,mississippi   
,riv] 0 well se5 by ! great /rategi/1   
,l9coln1 :o call$ x ! backbone ( !      
rebellion--! key to ! :ole situation4   

,if x c\ld be held by ! gov]nm5t1 !     
,conf$]acy c\ld nei!r move its troops up
 & d[n x1 nor--?us cut 9 half--c\ld x   
br+ ov] f ,texas & ,arkansas ! _m m5 & !
 quantities ( food greatly ne$$ by its  
armies ea/ ( ! riv]4 ,realiz+ ?is1 !    
,conf$]acy 0 already beg9n+ to =tify !  
,mississippi & ! ,ohio ) its bran*es4   
,to dislodge ! rebels ,bates propos$ a  
fleet ( gunboats4 ,! ,secret>y ( ,w>1   
h[ev]1 ?9k+ ?is idea ( gunboats ei!r    
useless or impracticable1 %[$ at fir/ no
 int]e/ 9 ! plan4 ,b at ! reque/ ( !    
,secret>y ( ! ,navy1 :o realiz$ !       
importance ( ! subject1 ,eads prep>$ a  
/atem5t ( 8 views1 embody+ ,bates's     
project4 ,9 x he also sugge/$1 besides !
 be/ k9d ( boats = ! s]vice1 batt]ies1  
to be erect$ at sev]al po9ts4 ,commodore
 ,pauld+1 on read+ ?is /atem5t1 at once 
report$ 9 favor ( x4 ,sudd5ly1 !        
,secret>y ( ,w>1 :5 he saw t ! s*eme 0  
com+ to some?+1 claim$ jurisdiction ov] 
! :ole matt]1 b f9ally he agre$ to ord] 
! same (fic] already appo9t$ = ! purpose

 by ! ,navy to g we/ ) ,eads & pur*ase  
vessels to be arm$4 ,all necess>y       
approvals hav+ be5 made1 ! two w5t to   
,cairo1 :]e !y exam9$ ! ,b5ton1 "o ( !  
=m] snag-boat fleet4 ,aft]w>ds ,eads    
propos$ ! /rong & swift ,miss\ri ,riv]  
/eamboats4 ,b nei!r ( ^! suit$ 8        
colleague1 :o at la/ w5t to ,c9c9nati1 &
 buy+ ?ree boats !re1 arm$ !m himself3 &
 v useful boats !y 74  ,! gunboat s*eme 
_h be5 fir/ propos$ 9 ,april2 x 0 n[    
,june1 & except+ ^! ?ree wood5 boats1   
no?+ seem$ to h come ( x4 ,s 9 ,july !  
qu>t]ma/]-g5]al adv]tis$ = bids =       
ironclad gunboats4 ,9 #ahfa ironclads 7 
a r new ?+4 ,france & ,engl& _h a few ( 
!m1 b at ! "t ! ,m]rimac 0 begun no     
ironclad _h be5 f9i%$ 9 ,am]ica4 ,on    
,augu/ #e1 :5 ! bids 7 op5$1 t ( ,eads 0
 f\nd n only to be ! l[e/1 b to promise 
! quicke/ "w4 ,on ,augu/ #g ! contract 0
 sign$ = sev5 gunboats to be deliv]$ at 
,cairo on ,octob] #aj1--sixty-f\r days  
lat]4 ,?is contract1 x has be5 said1    
w\ld "u ord9>y circum/ances h be5 ?\ght 

by mo/ m5 impossible to fulfill4 ,& !   
circum/ances !n 7 any?+ b ord9>y3 x 0 a 
"t ( great f9ancial di/ress2 9 ! bord]  
slave ,/ates ! pursuits ( peace 7       
int]rupt$2 all 0 9 turmoil & confusion2 
roll+-mills1 ma*9e-%ops1 f\ndries1 =ges1
 & sawmills 7 all idle1 & _m ( !        
me*anics _h gone to ! w>4 ,! timb] = !  
boats 0 /ill gr[+ 9 ! =e/s2 ! iron 0 n  
yet manufactur$4 ,& s %ort 0 ! "t t two 
or ?ree factories alone1 no matt] h[    
well equipp$ !y might be1 7 n to be     
dep5d$ ^u4 ,yet ,eads _h und]tak5 to />t
 up ! factories1 to ga!r ! mat]ials1 &  
to build 8 boats 9 two mon?s4 ,nev] 7 ! 
self-reliance & ! en]gy ( ! man bett]   
exhibit$2 b 8 ke5 bus9ess s5se might h  
hesitat$1 _h n 8 patriotism %[n him t ! 
,union ne$$ ! boats quickly4  ,mo/ ( !  
ma*9e-%ops & f\ndries ( ,sa9t ,l\is 7 at
 once set to "w night & day2 & = h\rs at
 a "t ! telegraph wires to ,pittsburg & 
to ,c9c9nati 7 9 use4 ,tw5ty-"o         
/eam-eng9es & ?irty-five boil]s 7 ne$$4 
,prep>$ timb] 0 br\ght f eight diff]5t  

,/ates1 & ! fir/ iron plat+ us$ 9 ! w> 0
 roll$ n only 9 ,sa9t ,l\is & ,c9c9nati1
 b 9 small t[ns 9 ,ohio & ,k5tucky4 ,)9 
two weeks #djjj m5 7 at "w 9 places     
miles ap>t1--work+ by night & sev5 days 
a week4 ,to ! workm5 on ! hulls :o %\ld 
/ick to ! task till x 0 done ,eads      
promis$ a h&some bonus2 & 9 ?is way     
gratuit\sly paid out ?\s&s ( doll>s4 ,! 
build+ ( ?is little fleet has be5 call$ 
a triumph ( sagacity1 pluck1 & executive
 ability unsurpass$ by any exploit 9 !  
milit>y or civil hi/ory ( ! times4  ,to 
be sure1 ! sev5 boats 7 n f9i%$ at ! "t 
call$ =4 ,t !y 7 all laun*$ )9 a hundr$ 
days ( ! sign+ ( ! contract is amaz+    
en\gh1 b if !y _h be5 built aft] designs
 ( ,eads's own1 s t he w\ld n h be5     
delay$ by sudd5 *anges necessitat$ :5 he
 f\nd weaknesses 9 ! plans furni%$ him1 
or :5 ! design] *ang$ ! specifications1 
& if ! gov]nm5t1 h>ass$ & driv5 z x !n  
01 _h be5 able to pay him accord+ to its
 "p ( ! contract1 !re is little d\bt t  
he w\ld h _h ! vessels f9i%$ 9 "t       

accord+ to 8 agreem5t4 ,ev5 z x 01 x 0  
legally decid$ lat] t he 0 n at fault4  
,:5 he ent]$ into ! contract he 0 a ri* 
man2 & z he 0 n to receive 8 fir/ paym5t
 f ! gov]nm5t = tw5ty days1 probably    
only a ri* man c\ld h _h ! cr$it        
necess>y to put s mu* ma*9]y into       
motion4 ,z x prov$ subsequ5tly1 !       
gov]nm5t 0 s lax 9 its paym5t1 & dem&$  
"w s mu* m exp5sive ?an ! specifications
 call$ =1 t be=e ! "w 0 f9i%$ ,eads 0 9 
a h>d way f9ancially4 ,he _h be5 mu*    
worri$ & di/ract$ 9 obta9+ funds3 aft]  
exhau/+ 8 own =tune he _h s\ght ! aid ( 
patriotic fri5ds1 & x 0 pr9cipally 9    
ord] to pay !m back t he made 8 appeal  
to ! gov]nm5t4 ,by ! t]ms ( 8 contract  
he might h delay$ ! "w until 8 paym5ts 7
 receiv$1 & might ?us h sav$ himself    
great di/ress & worry1 b1 z ,i h said1  
he realiz$ h[ mu* ! ,union ne$$ ! boats4
 ,he himself said t x 0 ( ! utmo/       
importance t ^! boats %\ld be made z    
effective z possible1 )\t ref]5ce to h[ 
,i 0 to be affect$ by delays1 444 & t _!

 completion %\ld be pu%$ ) ! utmo/      
en]gy1 :e!r ! gov]nm5t fail$ 9 its "p ( 
! b>ga9 or n4 ,_! rapid completion !n 0 
a pro( n only ( ,eads's ma/]ful en]gy1 b
 ( 8 self-sacrific+ patriotism z well4  
,ultimately he 0 paid mo/ ( ! money = ! 
gunboats1 & z a result ( 8 patriotism   
won back ! =tune he _h risk$2 b at ! "t 
( c\rse x hamp]$ him intol]ably to be   
)\t funds4 ,he _h1 besides1 o!r         
difficulties to cont5d )4 ,at lea/ "o ( 
8 sub-contractors or head-workm5 0 a    
disappo9t$ bidd] = ! gunboat contract1 &
 0 on a sal>y :i* ran till ! boats 7    
f9i%$2 & :ile ,eads w\ld n m5tion su* a 
suspicion 9 public1 he sugge/$ 9 a      
private lett] t ?is _h be5 an additional
 cause ( delay4  ,aft] all1 ! sev5 boats
 _h be5 laun*$ & 7 ready to be put into 
commission by ,flag-,(fic] ,foote1 be=e 
he _h m ?an "o ?ird ( ! necess>y crews  
ready = !m4  ,^! sev51 ! ,sa9t ,l\is    
7aft]w>ds ,de ,kalb71 ! ,cairo1         
,c>ondelet1 ,c9c9nati1 ,l\isville1 ,m\nd
 ,city1 & ,pittsburg1 7 all alike4 ,!   

,sa9t ,l\is1 z ,eads wrote to ,l9coln1  
:5 he s5t him a photograph ( h]1 0 !    
fir/ ironclad built 9 ,am]ica4444 ,%e 0 
! fir/ armor$ vessel aga9/ :i* ! fire ( 
a ho/ile batt]y 0 direct$ on ?is        
cont95t2 &1 s f> z ,i c asc]ta91 %e 0 ! 
fir/ ironclad t ev] engag$ a naval =ce 9
 ! _w4 ,9 read+ ! descriptions ( !m1 & 9
 read+ 9 ! naval hi/ories ( _! und5iable
 faults1 x mu/ be rememb]$ t ,eads _h no
 "p 9 ! model+ ( ^! boats1 & is !re=e   
reliev$ ( all responsibility z to _!    
imp]fections4 ,!y 7 #age feet long1     
#ea-a_/b feet beam4 ,_! flat sides slop$
 upw>d & inw>d at an angle ( ab\t #ce   
deg41 & ! front & re> casemates         
correspond$ ) ! sides1 ! /]n-:eel be+   
entirely cov]$ by ! re> casemate4 ,x 0 a
 l>ge paddle-:eel1 plac$ =w>d ( ! /]n s 
z to be protect$4 ,! :ole ?+ 0 l a      
trem5d\s uncov]$ box1 ) its sides slop+ 
up & 91 & conta9+ ! batt]y1 ! ma*9]y1 & 
! paddle-:eel1 :ile ! smoke-/acks & !   
conical pilot-h\se /uck up out ( ! top4 
,capta9 ,mahan says t !y look$ l        

gigantic turtles4 ,und]nea? ! wat]1 !y 7
 simply l flat-bottom$ sc[s4 ,z !y 7    
int5d$ always to fight b[s on1 !y 7     
built ) t 9 view4 ,9 front !y 7         
accord+ly armor$ two & a half in*es ov] 
two feet ( solid oak4 ,! only o!r armor 
!y c>ri$ 0 abrea/ ( ! boil] & eng9es4 ,!
 /]n1 !re=e1 & ! great] "p ( ! sides 7  
decid$ly vuln]able4 ,_! armam5t consi/$ 
( ?ree guns =w>d1 f\r on ea* broadside1 
& two at ! /]n4  ,:5 ,eads 0 giv5 a     
*ance to alt] a boat f 8 own designs1 he
 made x a mu* bett] "o ?an ^!4 ,x 0 a   
boat ord]$ by ,g5]al ,fremont 9         
,septemb]1 #ahfa1 9 excess ( ! gov]nm5t 
appropriation = ! riv] fleet4 ,?is 0 !  
same snag-boat :i* ?ree mon?s be=e _h   
be5 sugge/$ = alt]ation by ,eads1 &     
refus$ by ! army's ag5t4 ,9 ?is case1 z 
9 s _m aft]w>ds :5 ,eads knew himself to
 be "r1 he /uck p]si/5tly to 8 own      
op9ion2 & out ( ! heavy old boat1       
despis$ & object$ to by s _m p]sons1 he 
fa%ion$ ! old w>-horse1 ! ,b5ton1 :i*1  
sl[ z %e 01 ,spe>s1 ! naval hi/orian1   

calls ! mo/ p[]ful w>%ip afloat at t    
date4 ,z a snag-boat1 =m]ly us$ by      
,eads1 %e _h _h two hulls s jo9$ &      
/r5g!n$ t %e c\ld get ! l>ge/ k9d ( a   
cottonwood tree betwe5 !m1 hoi/ x out ( 
! mud1 & drag x cle> ( ! *annel4 ,^!    
hulls 7 n[ jo9$ toge!r2 & :ile ! boat 0 
armor$ on ! same g5]al plan z ! sev5    
contract gunboats1 %e 0 s mu* m         
completely iron clad z to avoid ! dang] 
t !y 7 expos$ to ( hav+ _! boil]s bur/ &
 great damage & dea? caus$ !reby4 ,h]   
tonnage 0 twice t ( ! o!rs2 h] size ab\t
 #bjj by #ge feet4 ,%e 0 entirely iron  
clad4 ,9 h] gun-deck casemate ! tw5ty   
in*es ( timb] "u ! plat+ _h its gra9    
runn+ up f ! wat] in/ead ( horizontally1
 by :i* means wrote ,eads a ball w      
/rike1 z x 71 ) ! gra91 & !n be m       
readily deflect$4 ,on ! same pr9ciple t 
a m9ie ball w p5etrate five in*es ( oak1
 cross+ ! gra91 :ile x w n ent] "o in*  
if fir$ at ! end ( ! timb]4 ,?is detail 
illu/rates ! c>e & int]e/ ) :i* ,eads   
built 8 boats4  ,! eight ( !m1 ,capta9  

,mahan says1 =m$ ! backbone ( ! riv]    
fleet ?r\gh\t ! w>1 & may be fairly     
call$ ! %ips ( ! l9e ( battle on !      
,we/]n wat]s4 ,he speaks also ( _! v    
important s]vices4 ,?is is mild] praise 
?an has be5 giv5 !m4 ,comm&] ,/embel    
said t he _h he>d !m call$ equal to     
#ejjj m5 ea*2 ,boynton1 ! naval         
hi/orian1 goes s f> z to say t ! p]man5t
 occupation ( ! ,s\? 0 r5d]$ possible by
 ! ironclad navy ( ! ,we/]n wat]s4 ,?\gh
 ! naval battles 9 ! ,atlantic 7 p]haps 
m brilliant1 he says1 none1 unless t    
betwe5 ! ,m]rimac & ! ,monitor1 _h m    
important results4 ,eads has be5 call$ z
 pot5t z a great g5]al 9 cle>+ ! upp]   
,mississippi4 ,he did n1 to be sure1    
build ! entire gunboat fleet1 b he did  
build1 z ,capta9 ,mahan says1 ! backbone
 ( x2 & t ! praises = t fleet1 :i* ,i h 
quot$1 are n altoge!r extravagant1 is   
fur!r %[n by ! comm5ts ( ,mr4 ,john     
,fiske4 ,he says1 ,:ile x 0 seldom t !y 
^! =midable gunboats c\ld capture =tifi$
 places )\t ! aid ( a l& =ce1 at ! same 

"t ?is comb9ation ( /r5g? ) spe$ made !m
 an auxili>y )\t :i* ! great] op]ations 
( ! w> c\ld h>dly h be5 und]tak54  ,^!  
eight boats figur$ 9 _m a fight on !    
great riv] & its bran*es4 ,!y 7 ev] :]e 
dang] 04 ,a mon? & m be=e ! ,m]rimac & !
 ,monitor 7 f9i%$1 ! important capture (
 ,=t ,h5ry 0 a victory exclusively = !  
gunboats4 ,x 0 ! ,c>ondelet t ran !     
gauntlet pa/ ,isl& ,numb] #aj1 a feat z 
full ( romance & d>+ z any t ! ,civil   
,w> tells u (4 ,& ^! ?+s 7 done )       
vessels /ill unpaid = & ! p]sonal       
prop]ty ( _! build]4 ,_! usefulness 0 a 
great satisfaction to ,eads1 & he       
rejoic$1 z he wrote to ,foote1 ) !      
prideful pleasure ( ! poor armor] :o =g$
 ! sword t 9 gallant h&s /ruck d[n !    
foe4  ,:5 ! ,b5ton left h] dock =       
,cairo1 ,foote reque/$ ,eads to see h]  
!re 9 safety4 ,eads1 :o 0 s deeply      
int]e/$ 9 8 boats t on ano!r occasion he
 0 n>r[ly prev5t$ f go+ into action ) "o
 ( !m1 gladly agre$4 ,be=e long ! ,b5ton
 gr\nd$4 ,z ,eads 0 m]ely a gue/1 & z   

!re 7 naval (fic]s abo>d1 he did n feel 
call$ ^u to int]f]e ) any sugge/ions4 ,b
 aft] ! (fic]s & crew _h labor$ all     
night try+ to float h]1 !n ) 8 aptitude 
= em]g5cies he us$ 8 sci5tific k to     
sugge/ ano!r s*eme4 ,! capta9 at once   
gave him leave to comm& ! entire crew1 &
 by means ( haws]s ti$ to trees a%ore & 
!n /rongly tight5$1 ! vessel 0 float$4  
,9 ?is case ! old riv] man knew m ?an ! 
naval (fic]s4  ,9 ,april1 #ahfb1 ! ,navy
 ,dep>tm5t call$ ,eads to ,wa%+ton to   
make designs = m ironclads1--or r boats 
made :olly ( iron4 ,^! 7 to be ( v light
 draught & turret$4 ,he submitt$ plans =
 boats draw+ five feet4 ,! dep>tm5t     
insi/$ on light] draught1 b /ill on     
heavy plat+4 ,s he revis$ 8 designs     
once1 & !n once m4 ,f9ally ! draught 0  
r$uc$ to only ?ree & a half feet4 ,eads 
has himself describ$ 8 go+ back to 8    
room 9 ! hotel1 & 9 a few h\rs mak+ ov] 
8 designs4 ,:5 ^! boats 7 f9i%$ !y 7    
f\nd to draw ev5 less ?an _h be5        
contract$ =1 s t extra armor 0 ord]$ =  

!m1 & ?ree ( !m exce$$ ! contract spe$4 
,at fir/ two boats 7 ord]$1 lat] f\r    
o!rs4 ,= ! turrets ,eads submitt$       
designs ( 8 own1 b z x 0 !n only a mon? 
aft] ! ,monitor's fight1 ,ericsson's    
turrets 7 insi/$ on = ! fir/ two boats1 
al?\gh modifications 7 all[$4 ,z ! o!r  
f\r _h two turrets ea*1 ,eads 0 all[$ on
 two ( !m to try "o turret ( 8 own1 ) ! 
guns work$ by /eam1 on condition (      
replac+ !m at 8 own co/ ) ,ericsson's 9 
case ( failure4 ,?is 0 ! fir/           
manipulation ( heavy artill]y by /eam4  
,! guns 7 fir$ e =ty-five seconds1 or   
sev5 times z fa/ z 9 ,ericsson's        
turrets4  ,9 addition to ! f\rte5       
gunboats1 ,eads also conv]t$ sev5       
transports into musket-pro( t9clads1 &  
built f\r mort>boats4 ,su* m51 says     
,boynton1 des]ve a place 9 hi/ory by !  
side ( ^? :o f\ght our battles4  ,! c>e]
 ( "s ( ! gunboats subsequ5t to ! w> is 
int]e/+4 ,9 #ahhj ! ,*ickasaw & !       
,w9nebago1 :i* 7 two ( ! six iron boats1
 & bo? ( :i* took "p 9 ! naval campaign 

at ,mobile1 _h come into ! h&s ( ,p]u2 &
 old z !y 71 !y 7 us$ v effectively     
aga9/ "s ( ! l>g] & m mod]n boats ( !   
,*ileans4  ,dur+ ^? try+ w> times all ( 
,eads's trem5d\s en]gy _h by no means   
be5 exhau/$ by ! gunboats4 ,9 m ways ?an
 "o he _h be5 %[+ himself a good citiz5 
& a k9d-he>t$ man4 ,mu* z 8 =tune _h be5
 dra9$ by ! boats1 he /ill f\nd money to
 give to ! suff]]s 9 ! w>4 ,out ( a     
belat$ p>tial paym5t on ! ,b5ton he at  
once s5t money to ,foote = use 9 relief 
"w1 & ) *>act]i/ic p]si/5ce he s5t      
sev]al lett]s & telegrams to make sure (
 ! money's arriv+4 ,a mon? or s lat] he 
s5t a *eck f ,wa%+ton to ,sa9t ,l\is to 
! ,sanit>y ,commission1 ask+ t its      
receipt might n be made public4 ,9 !    
lett] s5t ) ?is he speaks ( ! w> z an   
accurs$ conte/ betwe5 bro!rs1 b adds t !
 cause is mo/ wor?y ( ! sacrifice4 ,f ! 
niece ( ! ,secret>y ( ! ,navy we also   
f9d a lett] ( ackn[l$gm5t ( money to be 
us$ 9 relief4 ,b x 0 n only to ! soldi]s
 t he %[$ 8 t5d]ness3 to ,foote1 !      

gallant ,*ri/ian comm&] ( 8 fleet1 he   
s5t v>i\s fri5dly gifts :5 t brave man  
lay dy+1--grapes f 8 own v9es1 a        
portrait he _h _h pa9t$ ( 8 fri5d4 ,&   
ev5 to ^? on ! o!r side he %[$ an       
unusual consid]ation4 ,t[>ds ! end ( !  
w> !re seem$ to be no means ( fe$+ ! _m 
refugees 9 ,sa9t ,l\is b by levy+ a tax 
^u ,s\!rn sympa?iz]s4 ,eads1 :o =esaw   
:at bitt]ness su* a c\rse w\ld produce1 
(f]$1 9 ! "n ( a bank 9 :i* he 0 a      
director1 #ajjj to />t a subscription to
 be us$ in/ead1 & ! invidi\s assessm5t 0
 nev] levi$ aga94  ,to 8 p]sonal fri5ds 
he 0 always g5]\s & ?\ghtful1 s5d+ !m _m
 pres5ts1 def5d+ !m f misrepres5tation1 
& help+ !m 9 _! *os5 c>e]s4 ,by means ( 
8 influ5ce & tact he procur$ ! release (
 an indiscreet p]son :o _h talk$ himself
 into ,mc,dowell's ,college prison z a  
suspect$ enemy to ! gov]nm5t4 ,giv+ to  
o!rs seem$ a trait 9 ,eads's "* :i*     
af=d$ him an int5se pleasure2 & ?\gh a  
man ( great dignity1 he us$ ) 8 intimate
 fri5ds a *>m+ playfulness & affection4 

,he c\ld be extremely mild 9 correct+   
faults2 & :ile he 0 incl9$ to be> )     
o!rs1 he c\ld be /]n4 ,8 mann]s 7 r ^?  
"o expects 9 a ,european g5tleman (     
leisure & high bre$+1 ?an 9 a =m]       
/eamboat cl]k & a man :o _h work$ h>d   
mo/ ( 8 life4 ,8 hospitality 0 pr9cely4 
,9 8 l>ge h\se 9 ! suburbs ( ,sa9t ,l\is
 he receiv$ n only ! "y fri5ds ( 8 five 
daught]s & 8 own fri5ds1 b also (fic]s (
 ! riv] fleet & ( ! army1 (fic]s s5t we/
 on inspection duty1 & =eign (fic]s     
foll[+ ! c\rse ( ! w> & ( ! improvem5ts 
9 gunboat build+4  ,8 m9d 0 z active z 8
 he>t 0 g5]\s1 & ! c\rse ( 8 life       
mirror$ t activity4 ,n[ he 0 at home1 n[
 9 ,wa%+ton1 n[ at ,cairo visit+ !      
gunboats to see h[ !y work$ "u fire4 ,9 
,wa%+ton he 0 busy ) plans & projects4  
,an intimate associate said ( him 9 8   
lat] life t he 0 always inv5t+ "s new   
gun or gun-c>riage2 & we may be sure t  
if he ev] 0 do+ s1 he 0 9 ^? w> times4  
,besides inv5t+ 8 own1 he 0 also busy   
exam9+ ,ericsson's inv5tions1 9 mak+    

improvem5ts on !m1 9 apply+ /eam 9 novel
 ways to ! work+ ( artill]y & to !      
rotat+ & rais+ ( turrets2 9 s5d+ models 
( 8 inv5tions "h & !re1 at home &       
abroad1 to ,g]many1 :]e ! ,prussian     
m9i/]1 a fri5d ) :om he (t5 d9$1 wi%$ !y
 c\ld get "s ( 8 boats on ! ,rh9e2 hav+ 
8 turrets expla9$ at a ,russian d9n] 9  
,new ,york or ,wa%+ton2 & receiv+ f !   
,navy ,dep>tm5t an appo9tm5t z special  
ag5t to visit ! navy y>ds 9 ,europe4 ,at
 home he 0 j z busy4 ,) 8 h\se s full ( 
company1 he nev]!less f\nd "t some:]e = 
solid read+ ap>t f 8 "w--!              
,attorney-,g5]al s5t him ,cic]o's       
lett]s1 & he l5t ! ,attorney-,g5]al ,k+ 
,alfr$'s works4 ,!re is a curi\s int]e/ 
9 kn[+ :at two m5 s engross$1 & ^u su*  
necess>y duties1 7 read+ at su* a "t4   
,:ile he 0 build+ ! second bat* (       
gunboats1 he wrote to ,bates 9 a p]sonal
 lett] t he believ$ he _h ! mo/ complete
 & conv5i5t works 9 ! c\ntry = iron     
boat-build+2 t !re & 9 o!r places he _h 
z _m z sev5ty blacksmi? fires at "w =   

him1 & t 8 m5 7 all %elt]$ f sun & ra94 
,aft] ^? boats 7 f9i%$1 he w5t on plann+
 o!rs1 & we h a lett] f ,f>ragut 9 :i* !
 admiral asks if "s ( !m are n = 8 use  
at ,mobile4  ,eads1 by ?is p]iod 9 8    
/r5u\s life1 knew a great _m m51 all (  
:om he treat$ ) a uni=m dignity &       
c\rtesy1 ev5 :5 !y 7 unfri5dly1 & a few 
( :om he 0 on ! mo/ intimate t]ms )4    
,among all ( !m he 0 admir$2 p]haps     
already he 0 z prom95t a citiz5 z !re 0 
9 ,sa9t ,l\is1 & z x 0 /ill 9 ! good old
 times :5 ! mayoralty !re 0 a high honor
 to ! be/ m51 x 0 sugge/$ to him t he   
hold ! (fice4 ,nor 0 ?is ! fir/ honor   
(f]$ to be ?ru/ ^u him2 e>ly 9 ! w>     
,bates _h want$ him appo9t$ commiss>y ( 
subsi/5ce at ,sa9t ,l\is1 & ?\gh x 0    
unusual to appo9t a civilian to t       
position1 ,l9coln _h be5 will+ to d x to
 oblige ,bates1--b ,eads _h n wi%$ x4 ,m
 ?an a ye> lat] he 0 giv5 a commission (
 lieut5ant-colonel by ! gov]nor1 b he 0 
nev] sworn 94 ,l all m5 9 ^? tr\bl\s    
times1 he took a peculi> int]e/ 9       

politics2 & on be+ ask$ privately 9 a   
jo9t lett] f ! editors ( ?ree ,sa9t     
,l\is pap]s 7two ( !m ,g]man7 exactly   
:at 8 politics 71 he repli$ t he 0 z    
/rongly 9 favor ( emancipation z he 0   
oppos$ to slav]y1 & t he believ$ 9 no   
kid-glove policy2 b he rem>k$           
incid5tally t if he 7 to be (f]$ !      
mayoralty he %\ld refuse x4  ,8 "w 0 = !
 :ole c\ntry4 ,:ile he 0 /ill too mu*   
engross$ ) 8 turrets & 8 plans = new    
boats1 he fell v ill4 ,inde$ !re c be no
 "q t he sacrific$ 8 heal? to build !   
gunboats4 ,nev] v robu/1 he 0 n[ s ill t
 eight doctors gave him up4 ,8          
indomitable _s pull$ him ?r\gh1 b he 0  
ord]$ away f 8 work%op to ,europe1 he & 
8 family4 ,8 ov]burd5 ( labor _h cru%$  
him1--be=e ?is 8 eyes _h be5 tir$ out4  
,bates *>g$ him to take c>e ( himself2 !
 c\ntry c't sp>e y1 he said & ,i c't    
sp>e y4  ,unless ,bates 0 a prophet1 we 
may well ?9k ! fir/ ( ^! /atem5ts unduly
 /rong4 ,to be sure1 :5 9 a crucial     
mom5t ! gunboats 7 ne$$1 & ne$$ quickly1

 ,eads's unp>allel$ ha/e 9 build+ !m    
c]ta9ly did an ine/imable s]vice to !   
c\ntry4 ,b s f> 9 8 c>e]1--& he 0 ov]   
=ty1--:ile he _h %[n a m>k$ inv5tive    
tal5t1 he _h n z yet made cle> 8 signal 
g5ius = eng9e]+4 ,& al?\gh he _h        
exhibit$ wond]ful executive ability &   
su* true patriotism z made him a valu$  
citiz51 he _h /ill to r5d] himself      
indisp5sable to ! developm5t ( ! nation4
     ,,iii  ,,! ,,bridge   ,eads 0 br$  
to ! ,mississippi4 ,he _h ma/]$ its     
secrets by h>d exp]i5ce2 he _h work$ 9  
successful opposition to its great      
wayw>d =ces4 ,b he 0 n to be cont5t till
 he _h tam$ x1 till he _h saddl$ x1 &1  
wild z x w always be1 _h made x         
nev]!less subs]vi5t to him4 ,to 8       
quietly /ubborn _s !re 0 a delightful   
invigoration 9 us+ 8 bra9 to conqu] !   
brute =ce ( ?is caprici\s mon/]4 ,= !   
riv] is ! gr&e/ p[] betwe5 our two      
oceans4 ,niag>a is m sublime2 b ,niag>a 
is con/ant1 & !re=e its imm5se /r5g? has
 be5 easily set to a task4 ,!           

,mississippi is s irregul> t "o t5ds    
unconsci\sly to p]sonify x by call+ x   
tricky4 ,to f9d ! causes ( its sudd5    
*anges "o mu/ g back hundr$s ( miles to 
! m\nta9s ea/ & we/4 ,seem+ to delight 9
 de/ruction1 x te>s d[n or eats away !  
*ecks t are put ^u x4 ,only a m9d nev]  
disc\rag$1 a m9d capable ( discov]+ &   
compreh5d+ ! laws t aft] all und]lie !  
app>5tly bl9d & brutal je/s ( ?is untir+
 giant1 c1 by ! use ( ^? v laws1 tame x4
 ,& su* a m9d ,eads _h4 ,t ev]la/+ bra9 
( y\rs w we> out ?ree bodies1 said "o   
fri5d4  ,?\gh inde$ 8 body 0 /rong1 )   
iron muscles & a fi]ce n]v\s en]gy1 yet 
x 0 n a big body1 & 8 heal? 0 weak4     
,aga9 & aga9 he work$ beyond 8 /r5g?1 & 
only on ! absolute ord] ( 8 doctors w\ld
 he g away f 8 "w & re/4 ,b he c\ld n   
entirely re/4 ,8 bra9 w\ld "w4 ,9 8     
heal? t\rs to ,europe he 0 always op5 to
 new ideas1 always /udy+ new me?ods to  
c>ry back to 8 task4 ,y\r recreation1 "s
 "o wrote him1 is ,monitor discussions )
 ,capta9 ,ericsson4 ,ano!r recreation 0 

*ess4 ,_h he n elect$ to be ! lead+     
eng9e] ( 8 day1 he might h be5 ! *ess   
*ampion4 ,?is game1 nev] "o = ! slo?ful 
& un?9k+1 he made ev5 m exact+ ?an      
usual4 ,he w\ld play sev]al games at !  
same "t2 or1 )\t see+ ! bo>d :i* 8      
oppon5t us$1 he w\ld c>ry ! game 9 8    
head4 ,?\gh x 0 8 nature n to l to be   
beat51 yet he 0 z k9dly z he 0 set 9 8  
purpose2 & x 0 also 8 nature to take    
defeat gracefully3 defeat seldom came4  
,nev] let ev5 a pawn be tak51 he gave   
me1 a small boy1 z a rule = ! game4 ,ev5
 9 little ?+s he lik$ ?or\ghness1--a    
capacity = pa9/ak+ :i* is1 ,i ?9k1      
*>act]i/ic ( ! ?or\ghbr$4  ,8 appe>ance 
%[$ 8 traits4 ,n tall1 & r slight1 he 0 
always dignifi$4 ,8 wide & ?9-lipp$ m\? 
%ut s emphatically t x made pla9 8      
int5tion to d1 9 spite ( all1 :at he    
believ$ c\ld & %\ld be done4 ,"s "o said
 t x 0 a hundr$ horse-p[] m\?4 ,x       
admitt$ no trifl+4 ,:5 x spoke s]i\sly1 
x spoke f9ally4 ,b 8 eyes1 ) _! m]ry    
tw9kle1 %[$ t he c\ld also speak        

humor\sly4 ,he 0 inde$ a fam\s          
/ory-tell]1 fond ( all sorts ( riddles &
 je/s1 & rememb]+ all ( !m he he>d4 ,he 
us$ (t5 to po9t 8 argum5ts ) an         
anecdote1 always a fre% "o4 ,believ+ )  
,lamb t a man %\ld enjoy 8 own /ories1  
he w\ld laugh at 8 9 a mo/ infecti\s    
way1 till he 0 r$ 9 ! face4 ,inde$1 he 0
 ! l>g] half ( 8 /ories4 ,8 face 0      
?\ghtful & /]n4 ,?\gh he seldom f\nd    
fault1 he nev] did m ?an once2 b he 0 by
 no means viol5t4 ,8 mildness 0 m =cible
 ?an ang]4 ,he wore a full be>d1 b no   
mu/a*e1 ?us exhibit+ 8 long1 det]m9$    
lip4 ,at =ty he 0 already bald1 & aft]  
he 0 sixty he always wore indoors a     
black skull-cap4 ,scrupul\sly cleanly1 9
 8 dress he 0 po9t-device4 ,)\t ! lea/  
o/5tation1 8 clo!s 7 inv>iably          
faultless4 ,f "y manhood he _h ?\ght t x
 is due to "o's self & to "o's fri5ds to
 look "o's be/2 & he _h also realiz$ !  
practical value ( a good appe>ance4 ,(t5
 impress+ ?is on 8 wife & daught]s1 he  
w\ld h !m at all times well dress$4     

,really he seems to h be5 a po9t too    
precise4 ,he 0 j ! opposite to ^?       
g5iuses ^: great bra9 %[s itself by a   
sloppy ext]ior4 ,eads 0 nev] sloppy1 ev5
 at home4  ,8 great bra9 %[$ itself 9   
its re/less activity1 9 its grasp ( laws
 & ( details1 9 its fight to help & to  
bett] ! c\ntry & ! _w4 ,= x 0 n only !  
lu/y pleasure ( battl+ ) ,nature t made 
him long = ano!r /ruggle ) !            
,mississippi3 he saw ! value !re 0 9 x  
to comm]ce & to civilization4 ,be=e ! w>
 he _h long cont5d$ ) /ubborn curr5ts1 &
 ) ice1 & by 8 en]gy & 8 tal5t = inv5t+ 
new devices he _h become ! mo/          
successful wreck] on ! riv]4 ,ab&on+ !  
peaceful b lively triumphs ( snat*+     
hulls & c>goes f ! maw ( ! /ream1 he _h 
(f]$ ! gov]nm5t to cleanse its c\rse &  
!reby to increase its safety &          
usefulness4 ,9 w> times1 ow+ to 8 k ( ! 
wat]ways & ( sci5ce1 he _h be5 able to  
build1 ) a spe$ fairly romantic1 a      
gunboat fleet to patrol ! ,mississippi4 
,already n[ great] s*emes = improv+ ?is 

c5tral highway ( our c\ntry 7 9 8 m9d1 b
 z yet ! fullness ( ! "t 0 n come4      
,/ill1 he 0 no long] m]ely ! c>eful son 
& fa!r /riv+ to protect 8 belov$ ones & 
) no dreams ( broad] duties2 he 0 no    
long] cont5t$ ) rose-arbors = an        
occupation4 ,! grim w> _h r\s$ him2 8   
ye>s ( re/ 7 ov]2 he 0 ! well-kn[n      
boat-build]1--eng9e]1 p]haps "s p]sons  
already call$ him1--& 8 m9d 0 teem+ )   
s*emes ( helpfulness4 ,yet 8 ambition 0 
n = fame1 b to d 9 ! p]fect way ! "w t  
only he c\ld d4  ,9 #ahfg a gr&         
conv5tion = ! improvem5t ( !            
,mississippi & its tribut>ies met 9     
,sa9t ,l\is4 ,ev5 !n p 7 beg9n+ to see  
vaguely t ! ,mississippi ,valley is     
de/9$ to be ! rul+ section ( ! c\ntry4  
,eads 9 8 spee* %[$ t he =esaw x pla9ly4
 ,he urg$ ! conv5tion to p]suade !      
gov]nm5t to take /eps to improve ! riv]2
 %[+ t = less money ?an 0 paid by ! riv]
 boats 9 ?ree ye>s = insurance aga9/    
ob/ructions1 ^? ob/ructions c\ld be     
remov$4 ,!re 0 n "o ( !m1 he said1 t    

eng9e]+ skill & cunn+ c\ld n ma/]4  ,two
 ye>s lat] he urg$ ^u ! comm]cial       
conv5tion at ,new ,orleans by lett] !   
importance ( introduc+ iron boats on !  
,mississippi2 say+ t x 0 ! fault ( !    
t>iff on iron t ! sav+ !y w\ld effect 0 
n tak5 note (4 ,?irty ye>s lat] ?is     
s*eme has aga9 be5 br\ght up4 ,p]haps   
,eads 0 be=e 8 "t 9 advocat+ x4 ,b x %[s
 h[ he _h ! int]e/s ( comm]ce at he>t4  
,8 conv5tion spee* is a good sample ( 8 
/yle4 ,he 0 s pa9/ak+ t ev5 9 private   
lett]s he w\ld ins]t words & *ange      
s5t5ces & sometimes rewrite4 ,!re are   
fir/ draughts ) excisions ( :ole half   
pages1 = he s\ght concis5ess4 ,he s\ght 
also a c]ta9 rhy?m or grace or          
=cefulness1 x is h>d to tell exactly    
:at1 s9ce 9 8 lett]s x (t5 result$ 9 a r
 self-consci\s =mality or a /iff        
playfulness1 & 9 8 spee*es 9 a prett9ess
 or a fl[]9ess ( /yle4 ,he s\ght too    
c>efully4 ,probably 9 deliv]y ! spee*es 
s\nd$ bett] ?an we %\ld imag9e4 ,9 read+
 !m1 !y seem florid4 ,t 01 h[ev]1 !     

favorite /yle ( ! "t4 ,& :ile1 by ov]do+
 x1 he (t5 seems to lose =ce1 he is     
almo/ always cle> & always entirely     
logical4 ,9 contra/ to 8 spee*es 8      
pr(essional reports are models3 simple &
 complete1 writt5 n faultlessly p]haps1 
b ) a limpidity :i* makes "o int]e/$ ev5
 9 dry te*nical details4 ,"o ( 8 mo/    
m>k$ tal5ts1 (t5 not$1 0 ! ability to   
expla9 an ab/ruse subject s t x w\ld be 
q cle> to anybody4 ,& ?is he did ne>ly z
 well 9 writ+ z by ^w ( m\?4  ,he ?us   
made cle> 8 rem>kable plans = ! bridge2 
= 9 #ahfg ! long talk$ ( bridge at ,sa9t
 ,l\is 0 at la/ begun4  ,9 #ahcc1 :5    
,eads _h arriv$ at ! t[n1 x _h ab\t     
#aj1jjj inhabitants4 ,?\gh already      
sev5ty ye>s old1 x _h n advanc$ v f>    
beyond its orig9al /ate ( a ,fr5*       
trad+-po/4 ,) ! introduction ( /eam & ! 
wak+ up ( ! c\ntry1 ! gr[? ( ,sa9t ,l\is
 0 rapid4 ,9 #ahfg x _h ab\t #ajj1jjj p4
 ,despite a comm&+ situation1 x c\ld be 
se5 t a /ruggle w\ld h to be made = x to
 ma9ta9 ! lead]%ip among ! riv] t[ns4 ,z

 e>ly z #ahci !re _h be5 a project = a  
highway bridge2 & we are told t ! city  
fa!rs /ood agha/ at an e/imat$ co/ (    
#gcf1fjj4 ,9 ! foll[+ ye>s !re 7 sev]al 
m abortive s*emes = bridg+1 "o ( :i*1 x 
is ev5 said1 w\ld h be5 c>ri$ out1 _h n 
its projector di$4 ,p]haps x is z well t
 he nev] liv$ to try x1 = until ,eads no
 "o seems to h realiz$ h[ enorm\s !     
und]tak+ 04 ,probably few o!rs1 realiz+ 
x1 w\ld h d>$ to g on4  ,9 ! w9t] (     
#ahfe-ff a bill 0 br\ght up 9 ,congress 
to au?orize ! bridg+ ( ! ,mississippi at
 ,sa9t ,l\is4 ,dep5d5ce on f]ries _h    
become intol]able to ! p1 & (t5 :5 !    
riv] 0 froz5 ev5 ! f]ries 7 block$4 ,a  
bridge 0 felt to be absolutely          
indisp5sable4 ,h[ev]1 ! antagonism (    
rival comm]cial r\tes 0 s p[]ful t !    
bill 0 all[$ to pass only aft] x _h be5 
s am5d$ t x 0 suppos$ to require an     
impracticability4 ,x decl>$ t ! c5tral  
span ( ! contemplat$ bridge mu/ be no   
less ?an #ejj feet long1 nor its        
elevation above ! city directrix less   

?an fifty feet4 ,x 0 said at ! "t t !   
g5ius did n exi/ 9 ! c\ntry capable (   
erect+ su* a /ructure4  ,/ill1 a span ( 
ov] #ejj feet _h be5 built 9 ,holl&2 & !
 fact t !re 0 n a total d\bt z to !     
practicability ( do+ z well 9 !         
,mississippi ,valley is %[n by !        
inauguration ( two rival bridge         
companies ab\t a ye> aft] ! passage ( ! 
bill4 ,"o ( ^!1 :i* 0 locat$ 9 ,ill9ois1
 aft] call+ a conv5tion ( eng9e]s1 :o   
consid]$ ! "q = t5 days1 )\t an         
exam9ation ( ,eads's plans1 adopt$ a    
plan = a truss bridge4 ,! o!r1 ! ,sa9t  
,l\is company1 f ! fir/ _h ,eads z its  
*ief eng9e]4 ,= ano!r ye> !re 0 a %>p   
conte/ c>ri$ on betwe5 ^! two companies1
 conf9$1 h[ev]1 pr9cipally to ! c\rts & 
! newspap]s1 until f9ally ! ,ill9ois    
company sold out to ! ,sa9t ,l\is       
company4 ,_h ! truss bridge be5 built1  
!re is no kn[+ h[ long x might h /ood1 =
 ! eng9e] :o design$ x did n arrange to 
base ! f\ndations on ! b$-rock ( ! riv]4
 ,aft]w>ds x 0 %[n h[ necess>y x 0 to d 

?is2 b at ! "t _m p ?\ght x q sup]flu\s1
 & on t1 z well z on _m o!r po9ts1 ,eads
 met ) opposition4  ,9 e case x turn$   
out t he _h be5 "r4 ,no "o else knew s  
well z he ! imm5se p[] & ! wayw>dness ( 
! ,mississippi4 ,good eng9e]s suppos$ t 
! greate/ imag9able sc\r at ! riv]      
bottom 9 extreme high wat] w\ld n remove
 ov] tw5ty-two feet ( s&1 & x 0 believ$ 
t !re 7 p]haps "o hundr$ feet ( x along 
! ea/ %ore4 ,b ,eads _h be5 sixty-five  
feet bel[ ! riv]'s surface at ,cairo1 & 
!re he _h f\nd ! riv] bottom to be a    
mov+ mass at lea/ ?ree feet deep2 & 9   
cutt+ ?r\gh ! froz5 riv] to lib]ate 8   
div+-bell boats1 he _h f\nd t ! float+  
ice :i* goes und]nea? solid ice1 z well 
z ! ris+ or back+-up ( ! wat] above     
ice-gorges1 =ces ! und]curr5ts l[] ?an  
ev5 a flood does2 & he _h f\nd on cutt+ 
a wreck out ( ! ice t %e _h be5 held up 
by ! gorg$ ice und]nea? h]1 :i* mu/     
!re=e h be5 pack$ to ! bottom4 ,kn[+ all
 ?is & mu* m ab\t :at goes on "u !      
turbid surface ( ! riv]1 he did n d\bt t

 ev5 b5ea? #ajj feet ( s& ! b$-rock     
might at times be laid b>e1 & he 0      
absolutely conv9c$ t 8 bridge mu/ be    
f\nd$ on x4  ,moreov]1 he saw t on      
acc\nt ( ! exceptional =ce ( ! curr5t 9 
its r n>r[ b$ at ,sa9t ,l\is1 ! masonry 
pi]s ( 8 bridge mu/ be made unusually   
big & /rong to )/& x4 ,s9ce !y mu/ be s 
big & sunk s v deep1 x 0 evid5t t !y    
w\ld be s co/ly t ! few] !re ne$ be ( !m
 ! bett]4 ,! c5tral span 0 requir$ to be
 #ejj feet2 ) ?ree spans ab\t t l5g? !  
riv] c\ld be cross$1 & ?ree spans w\ld  
require only f\r pi]s4 ,/eel trusses    
#ejj feet long w\ld h to be made        
extremely heavy2 b ,eads %[$ t a /eel   
ar* ! same l5g?1 :ile q z /rong1 w\ld be
 light] & consequ5tly mu* *eap]4 ,:5 8  
oppon5ts object$ t !re 0 no eng9e]+     
prec$5t = su* spans1 :ile he po9t$ out  
_! mi/ake1 at ! same "t he express$ 8   
conviction t eng9e]+ prec$5ts _h no?+ to
 d ) ! "q ( l5g? ( span2 t x 0 altoge!r 
a money "q4 ,!re=e1 s9ce ! *eape/ me?od 
0 to be c>efully s\ght1 he det]m9$ ^u   

ar*es1--two abutm5t pi]s1 two riv] pi]s1
 & ?ree ar*es ( respectively #ejb1 #ebj1
 & #ejb feet long4  ,!re 7 _m oppon5ts  
to ?is plan2 "s ( !m p :o w\ld h oppos$ 
any bridge1 z1 = example1 ! f]ry & !    
transf] companies4 ,to 8 own company he 
expla9$ away e objection t came up1 z he
 0 b\nd to d1 9 view ( _! confid5ce 9   
him4 ,he made ! cle>e/ ( explanations ( 
! !ories involv$2 & ev5 su* absurd      
pr$ictions z t 8 sup]/ructure w\ld cru% 
8 huge /one pi]s1 he took ! tr\ble to   
bla/ s>ca/ically4 ,to an eng9e]+ j\rnal 
he wrote ?ree lett]s correct+ mi/akes 9 
its acc\nts ( 8 "w4 ,b he seems to h    
wa/$ little ( 8 en]gy 9 argu+ ) !       
newspap] public4 ,x 0 a "q only ( "t    
till ev]ybody %\ld be conv9c$4  ,! mo/  
extraord9>y c>e & pa9s 7 exp5d$ 9 e     
direction4 ,! /one1 granite1 & /eel 7   
bo? hunt$ up & te/$ by exp]ts1 & by     
ma*9es specially devis$ 9 ! bridge      
works1 ?\gh n by ,eads himself4 ,= 8    
assi/ants he *ose m5 :o 7 ( real ability
 & well tra9$1 & to !m he inv>iably gave

 great cr$it = _! "p 9 ! "w4 ,! plans1  
aft] be+ figur$ out 9 detail by !m1 7   
gone ov] by ! ma!matician ,*auv5et1 !n  
*ancellor ( ,wa%+ton ,univ]sity1 :o f\nd
 n "o s+le error 9 !m4 ,mo/ ( ! big "w1 
su* z ! masonry & /eel1 0 giv5 out on   
contract2 &1 z 0 natural1 delays by !   
contractors (t5 greatly delay$ !        
progress ( ! bridge4 ,! :ole "w occupi$ 
sev5 ye>s4  ,:ile ,eads _h promis$ !    
company to prove by c>eful exp]im5t1 s  
f> z 0 possible1 ev]y?+ connect$ ) !    
bridge t _h n already be5 fully         
demon/rat$ 9 practice1 he did n pret5d t
 9 8 ma9 outl9es he 0 )\t "s examples4  
,x 0 9 8 developm5t ( kn[n ideas & 8    
exp$i5ts = simplification t 8 g5ius     
p]haps mo/ /rik+ly %[$ itself4 ,aga9 &  
aga9 he contriv$ "s device s simple t1 l
 a great _m /rokes ( g5ius1 x seem$ t   
anybody %\ld h ?\ght ( x4 ,! massive    
pi]s 7 sunk to ! b$-rock by means (     
metal caissons4 ,^! 7 adapt$ 9 design f 
"s he _h se5 9 use 9 ,france1 & _h      
exam9$ dur+ a trip 8 doctors ord]$ him  

to make 9 #ahfh4 ,eads himself comp>$ !m
 to inv]t$ pans4 ,!y 7 op5 at ! bottom1 
b p]fectly air-tight ev]y:]e else4 ,!y  
_h sev]al important features :i* 7      
entirely orig9al4 ,su* caissons1 sunk to
 ! bottom1 h ! masonry ( ! pi] built on 
top ( !m ev5 :ile !y are s9k+2 & workm5 
inside !m keep remov+ ! s& f und]nea?1 &
 ?r[+ x "u ! m\?s ( pipes :i* suck x up 
to ! surface ( ! riv]4 ,evid5tly !      
caissons mu/ be fill$ ) compress$ air to
 equalize ! ext]nal pressure1 :i* is    
con/antly increas+ z ev] deep] wat] is  
rea*$2 !y mu/ also h an op5+ connect+ ) 
! surface2 & to admit ( pass+ f ! ord9>y
 atmosph]e to ! d5s] "o1 !re mu/ be an  
air-lock4 ,be=e ?is bridge 0 built1 !   
air-lock _h always be5 plac$ at ! top ( 
! entrance %aft1 :]e1 z ! caisson sank &
 ! %aft 0 l5g!n$1 x _h to be con/antly  
mov$ up4 ,eads plac$ x 9 ! air-*amb] ( !
 caisson itself1 :]e x nev] _h to be    
mov$2 & ?us1 z ! %aft 0 n fill$ )       
compress$ air1 less 0 ne$$1 & !re 0 less
 dang] ( leaks4 ,ano!r ( 8 useful       

innovations 0 to build 8 %aft ( wood1 & 
ano!r 0 to put a spiral /airway into x4 
,inde$1 9 ! la/ pi] he put an elevator  
into ! %aft4 ,moreov]1 he 0 ! fir/ p]son
 to run 8 pipes = dis*>g+ ! s&1 n ?r\gh 
! %aft1 b ?r\gh ! masonry itself2 & he  
inv5t$ a v simple & effectual new       
s&-pump1 :i* 0 work$ by natural =ces )\t
 ma*9]y4 ,all ^! improvem5ts & v>i\s    
o!rs seem to h be5 ?\ght ( s easily1 t  
we are incl9$ to wond] :y clumsi] me?ods
 _h ev] be5 9 use4 ,he describ$ !m all 9
 8 reports & 8 lett]s ab\t ! bridge 9 a 
/yle :i* is n only cle> b actually      
fasc9at+ ev5 to a p]son :o has scant    
sci5tific k or ta/e4  ,"o ( ! pi]s 0    
sunk #aaj feet bel[ ! surface ( ! riv]1 
?r\gh n9ety feet ( gravel & s&4 ,eads's 
!ories 7 ju/ifi$ by f9d+ ! b$-rock s    
smoo? & wat]-worn z to %[ t at times x  
_h be5 uncov]$4 ,?is 0 ! deepe/ subm>9e 
"w t _h ev] be5 done1 & ,eads tells u 9 
8 reports _m int]e/+ exp]im5ts he made 9
 ! air-*amb]s4 ,9 _! d5se atmosph]e a   
c&le :5 bl[n out w\ld at once light     

aga94 ,?is 0 be=e ! days ( electric     
light+3 o!rwise we may be sure t t w\ld 
h be5 us$1 z s _m o!r mod]n inv5tions 74
 ,= ! fir/ "t 9 any su* "w1 ! la/ pi]   
sunk _h telegraphic communications ) !  
(fices on %ore2 :i* mu/ h be5 com=t+ to 
workm5 />t+ out to _! labor 9 ! dead (  
w9t] ) two weeks' provisions4 ,! d5se   
air ( ! *amb]s caus$ n only discom=t to 
! e>s1 b also 9 ! case ( "s ( ! workm5 a
 p>tial p>alysis4 ,!re 0 no previ\s     
exp]i5ce to g by1 b e precaution se5 to 
be necess>y 0 tak52 ! h\rs ( "w 7 made v
 %ort1 ! elevator 0 provid$1 m$ical     
att5dance & hospital c>e 7 giv5 free4   
,aft] ! fir/ disa/]s no man 0 all[$ to  
"w 9 ! air-*amb]s )\t a doctor's p]mit4 
,& x is kn[n t 9 help+ ! suff]]s ) 8    
private means1 ,eads 0 z *>itable z ev]4
 ,out ( #ceb m5 employ$ 9 ! v>i\s       
air-*amb]s1 #ab di$4 ,eads1 ) 8 wont$   
g5]osity ( praise1 pr9t$ 9 8 ye>ly      
report ! names ( all ! m5 :o work$ 9 !  
deepe/ pi] f its beg9n+ till x t\*$     
b$-rock4 ,x is int]e/+ to note 9 pass+ t

 ( all ! workm5 9 ! blacksmi?'s y>d only
 ! head smi? himself c\ld lift a great] 
weight ?an ! design] ( ! bridge4  ,!    
sup]/ructure consi/$ ma9ly ( ?ree /eel  
ar*es1 by f> ! longe/ t _h ev] be5      
con/ruct$2 ! fir/ to disp5se ) sp&rel   
brac+2 & ! fir/ to be built ( ca/-/eel4 
,! ,encyclopa$ia ,britannica call$ !m ! 
f9e/ example ( a metal ar* yet erect$4  
,!y 7 built out f ! pi]s f bo? ends to  
meet 9 ! middle2 & 7 put into place     
entirely )\t /ag+ f bel[1--once aga91 ! 
fir/ in/ance ( su* a proce$+4 ,all !    
necess>y work+ plat=ms & ma*9]y 7       
susp5d$ f tempor>y t[]s built on ! pi]s2
 & ?us :ile ! ar*es 7 be+ put up1       
navigation bel[ 0 n int]f]$ )4 ,?is ?r[+
 across ( ! #ejj-;foot ar*es )\t ! use (
 false works has be5 rank$ ) ! s9k+ ( ! 
pi]s ?r\gh a hundr$ feet ( %ift+        
quicks&s1 z produc+ "s ( ! mo/ difficult
 problems ev] attempt$ by an eng9e]4 ,"o
 problem1 caus$ by ! fault ( !          
contractors1 pres5t$ itself :5 !y came  
to ins]t ! c5tral tubes to close !      

ar*es4 ,! tubes 7 f\nd to be two & a    
half in*es too long to g 91 al?\gh !y   
w\ld be only ! requir$ l5g? :5 !y 7 94  
,x 0 left = ,eads to ins]t !m4 ,%ort5+  
!m w\ld ( c\rse h l[]$ ! ar*4 ,eads1 :o 
0 j />t+ = ,london on f9ancial bus9ess (
 ! bridge1 cut ! tubes 9 half1 jo9+ !m  
by a plug ) a "r & left screw4 ,!n he   
cut (f _! ends1 = ! plug w\ld make !m   
any requir$ l5g? by ins]t+ or )draw+ !  
screws a little4 ,!n he w5t away4 ,z x  
w\ld h be5 mu* *eap] n to use ?is       
device1 8 assi/ants tri$ = h\rs to %r9k 
! tub+ by ice applications1 & ?us to get
 ! ar*es clos$2 & !re is a popul>       
tradition 9 ,sa9t ,l\is t !y succe$$2 b 
x 0 excessively hot wea!r1 & !y did n   
succe$4 ,! screw-plug tubes1 ( c\rse1 7 
easily put 94 ,any "p ( ?is /eel "w c be
 at any "t safely remov$ &              
replac$1--ano!r /ructural feature       
orig9al 9 ?is bridge4  ,al?\gh ,eads    
took c>e to protect 8 special           
innovations by pat5t1 he 0 mo/ will+ to 
expla9 !m ) c>e to o!r eng9e]s & to h   

o!rs pr(it by 8 improvem5ts2 & sev]al ( 
! me*anical novelties ( 8 bridge are n[ 
9 ! commone/ use1 & h be5 tak5 advantage
 ( ev5 9 su* fam\s /ructures z !        
,brooklyn ,bridge4  ,dur+ ! build+ ( !  
bridge ,eads sp5t _m mon?s 9 en=c$      
abs5ce1 b :ile 9 ,europe he always _h 8 
labor 9 m9d1 &1 z ,i h said1 br\ght home
 f ,france "o ( 8 mo/ useful appliances4
 ,dur+ 8 abs5ce he left absolutely      
tru/wor?y & effici5t eng9e]s 9 *>ge ( ! 
"w1 & be=e leav+ home he provid$ =      
accid5ts t might occur4 ,s mu* "w 0 done
 9 ! w9t] t great b>ri]s _h to be built 
to keep x cle> ( float+ ice4 ,"o curi\s 
detail connect$ ) ! bridge is t !       
,milwaukee1 "o ( ! d\ble-turret$        
gunboats :i* ,eads _h built f 8 own     
plans1 & :i* _h be5 ) ,f>ragut at       
,mobile1 0 b\ght n[ f a wreck+ company1 
& h] iron hull us$ 9 mak+ ! caissons2 s 
t h] usefulness /ill cont9u$ 9 peace z 9
 w>4  ,x has be5 said ( ,eads t he      
grappl$ ) great problems 9 eng9e]+1 &   
solv$ !m z easily z a boy subtracts two 

f six4 ,:ile ?is is true1 x mu/ n be    
=gott5 t he _h n ! s*ool-tra9+ ( an     
eng9e]4 ,no?+ is m untrue ?an ! /atem5t 
t he 01 l de ,lesseps1 only a           
contractor4 ,he 0 a v unusually         
brilliant eng9e]1 & 8 ignorance ( !     
high] ma!matics s]v$ to %[ 8 brilliancy 
! m cle>ly4 ,"s p]sons h said t 8 *ief  
tal5t 0 9 expla9+ ab/ruse reason+s      
simply2 b an eng9e] has told me t he    
?\ght ,eads's *ief tal5t 0 8 ability to 
arrive by "s r\gh means at a c]ta9      
conclusion to a giv5 problem1 :i*       
conclusion w\ld 9 e in/ance be          
approximately ! same t bett] tra9$      
ma!maticians w\ld rea* by ma!matics4    
,by ! "t ! bridge 0 f9i%$1 inde$ f ! "t 
7#ahfh7 :5 8 fir/ report = x made a     
decid$ /ir 9 ! sci5tific _w1 bo? at home
 & abroad1 ,eads 0 a v well-kn[n eng9e]4
 ,9 t same ye> a visit to ,europe = 8   
heal?'s sake gave him ! opportunity to  
int]view a ,fr5* /eel company1 ?r\gh :om
 he met a fam\s bridge-build]1 & 0 l$ to
 exam9e ! pi]s ( ! bridge !n be+        

con/ruct$ at ,vi*y2 & x 0 !re t he f\nd 
8 new ideas = caissons4 ,go+ home1 by   
way ( ,engl&1 he expla9$ 8 plans to !   
eng9e]s !re1 & 0 by !m propos$ z a memb]
 ( ! ,royal ,society4 ,ev5 at home1 9 8 
own adopt$ ,/ate1 he 0 n )\t            
recognition2 = 9 #ahgb ! ,univ]sity (   
,miss\ri conf]r$ ^u him ! honor>y degree
 ( ,,ll4,d4 ,f ! g5]al ( eng9e]s he     
receiv$ a reque/ = sugge/ions =         
improvem5ts 9 guns2 & f 8 "w on !       
subject ( ,naval ,def5ses x is pla9 t 8 
m9d /ill f\nd "t to run on ?is favorite 
topic4  ,9 #ahgd ! bridge 0 f9i%$4 ,aft]
 x _h satisfactorily /ood ! sev]e te/s  
put ^u x1 x 0 =mally op5$ on ! #d? (    
,july4 ,! celebrations ( t day 7 ! fir/ 
public outbur/ ( approval giv5 to       
,eads's "w4 ,& to-day ! /rong & graceful
 bridge /&s z 8 mo/ beautiful & la/+    
monum5t4 ,& z ev5 ! great tornado (     
#ahif 0 unable to d ! pi]s any s]i\s    
damage1 !y are likely to la/            
indef9itely1 & ?us make ! bridge endure1
 z its build] said1 z long z x is useful

 to man4  ,to ,sa9t ,l\is x has be5 s   
useful t :ile on ! "o h& ! gr[? ( ! city
 0 ! cause ( its be+ built1 on ! o!r x  
has be5 "o great cause ( ! cont9u$ gr[? 
& prosp]ity ( ! city4 ,b x _h ev5 broad]
 results ?an t4 ,x made a radical *ange 
9 ! conditions ( transportation ,ea/ &  
,we/1 & x made possible ! ,memphis      
bridge & ! future ,new ,orleans bridge4 
,& 9 ano!r direction yet x is peculi>ly 
important4 ,9 bridge-build+ x m>ks an   
era1 n only because ( its /r5g? & beauty
 & ! d>+ ( its design1 b also because ( 
its _m labor-sav+ devices1 ! inv5tions (
 a ?or\ghly practical m9d4 ,a di/+ui%$  
eng9e] calls x a great pione] 9 ! art ( 
s9k+ deep f\ndations & build+ spans ov] 
wide /ret*es ( space1 t a/oni%$ 9 its   
con/ruction ! entire civiliz$ _w4       
,london ,eng9e]+ *ose x1 :ile build+1 z 
preem95tly ! mo/ highly develop$ type ( 
bridge2 & says1 ,9 t "w ! alliance      
betwe5 ! !ori/ & ! practical man is     
complete4 ,9 ,eads x f9ds its           
long-sigh$-= dream1 comb9+ ! highe/ p[]s

 ( mod]n analysis ) ! +5uity ( ! build]4
     ,,iv  ,,! ,,jetties   ,!           
,mississippi ,riv] is a great           
antimonopoli/4 ,z m & m railways h be5  
built x has be5 less & less us$4 ,& yet1
 because x dra9s almo/ e corn] ( a      
valley :i* comprises ov] "o ?ird ( !    
:ole ,unit$ ,/ates1 x af=ds means (     
transportation to an imm5se area2 & s9ce
 x _c be controll$ by any "o company or 
gr\p ( companies1 its freight rates c   
h>dly be arbitr>ily fix$4 ,/ill1 s long 
z !re are imp$im5ts to its free         
navigation 9 ! %ape ( floods & b>s1 x _c
 be dep5d$ on = %ipp+1 & ! magnific5t   
opportunities x %\ld (f] to comm]ce are 
less5$4 ,! va/e/ riv] sy/em 9 ! _w1 x   
%[s 9 its v>i\s p>ts great contra/s4 ,"o
 l>ge tribut>y fl[+ f ! ,alleghanies1 "o
 f ! ,rockies1 "o f ! nor?1 o!rs f !    
s\?we/]n pla9s1 are ea* able to         
contribute _! v>i\s products ( gra91    
lumb]1 cattle1 cotton1 fruits1 & s on4  
,"s bran*es freeze e w9t]2 o!rs nev] d4 
,"s are cle>1 o!rs silt-be>+4 ,f ab\t   

,cairo x fl[s s\?w>d ?r\gh ! great]     
delta1 or l& built up by its own action 
9 ages pa/1 & 9 all ?is "p ( its c\rse  
bo? banks & bottom are ( yield+         
alluvion4 ,= "s hundr$s ( miles !       
crook$e/ ( great riv]s1 x v>ies         
frequ5tly 9 wid? & velocity & is full ( 
%oals2 !n = hundr$s m1 ?\gh uni=m 9     
wid?1 x (t5 rises high] ?an its %ores1 &
 is conf9$ 9 artificial levees1 :i* x   
cont9ually breaks d[n4 ,f9ally1 bel[    
,new ,orleans1 gr[+ m sluggi%1 & divid+ 
into sev]al m\?s1 or passes1 x w&]s     
?r\gh tracts ( wa/e m>%-l&s into ! gulf1
 :i* x colors br[n = miles ar\nd4       
,block+ ! end ( ea* %all[ m\? !re 0     
=m]ly a s&-b>2 & ^! ob/ructions to      
navigation 7 ! despair ( ! riv] comm]ce1
 & no less ! despair ( ! gov]nm5t 9 its 
attempts to remove !m4  ,e "o int]e/$ 9 
trade or %ipp+ realiz$ :at a v s]i\s    
h9drance to ! usefulness ( !            
,mississippi ^! *ok$-up m\?s 71 b no "o 
realiz$ x bett] ?an ,eads4 ,und]/&+ t ! 
great valley is capable ( support+      

#djj1jjj1jjj p1 & int5t on do+ all 9 8  
p[] = good1 ev5 be=e he _h complet$ !   
bridge he 0 /udy+ ! problem ( op5+ !    
riv]4 ,its improvem5t & ! welf>e ( its  
millions ( p 7 *]i%$ objects ( 8 life4  
,= "s m5 "o great und]tak+ at a "t is   
en\gh1 b ,eads's en]gies 7 su* t 8 works
 ov]lapp$ "o ano!r4 ,x is h>d to see h[ 
"o man c h "t1 ev5 if he has bra9s1 to d
 all he did4 ,b app>5tly he nev] liv$ an
 idle day4 ,! bridge1 ) its _m          
extraord9>y solutions ( new problems1   
made its build]'s p]man5t reputation4   
,at ! p>ticul> reque/ ( ,we/ ,po9t he _h
 suppli$ t in/itution ) writ+s1         
diagrams1 & models4 ,& s f> afield _h 8 
fame spread t on "o ( 8 _m trips abroad1
 he made plans1 at ! reque/ ( !         
,sultan's gr& vizi]1 = an iron bridge   
ov] ! ,bosphorus4 ,a *ange 9 vizi]s1    
h[ev]1 prev5t$ its be+ built4  ,x seems 
z if ! riv]-m\? problem _h n always be5 
s difficult4 ,/ill1 ,eads %[$ t ! b>s 7 
inevitable2 & x is probably only        
because1 ) ! gr[+ population & trade ( !

 c5tral ,/ates1 ! ne$ = an outlet 0     
great]1 t ! problem seem$ m complicat$4 
,moreov]1 ocean vessels 7 increas+ 9    
size & draught1 :i* also made an        
adequate *annel m desirable4 ,al?\gh !  
blockade _h =c$ ! con/ruction ( sev]al  
exp5sive l9es ( railway1 yet x 0        
impossible to c>ry all ! products ( !   
valley by rail4 ,millions ( doll>s' wor?
 ( m]*&ise 7 delay$ at ! b>s4 ,z e>ly z 
#agbf attempts _h be5 made to deep5 !   
*annels ?r\gh ! riv]'s m\?s by h>r[+4 ,b
 ! fir/ gov]nm5t ef=t 0 9 #ahcg1 :5 an  
appropriation 0 made = a survey & =     
dr$g+ ) buckets4 ,aga9 9 #aheb ano!r    
appropriation 0 made2 & a bo>d1 appo9t$ 
by ! ,w> ,dep>tm5t1 recomm5d$1--        
#a4 ,/irr+ up ! bottom4      #b4 ,dr$g+4
      #c4 ,if bo? ^! me?ods fail$1 !    
con/ruction ( p>allel     jetties five  
miles 9 l5g?1 at ! m\? ( ! ,s\? ,we/    
,pass1     to be ext5d$ into ! gulf     
annually1 z exp]i5ce %\ld %[ to     be  
necess>y4      #d4 ,%\ld x !n be ne$$1 !
 lat]al outlets %\ld be     clos$4      

#e4 ,%\ld all ^! fail1 a %ip canal might
 be made4  ,dr$g+ by /irr+ ! bottom 0   
tri$1 & produc$ a dep? ( eighte5 feet4  
,?ree ye>s lat] ?is dep? _h entirely    
disappe>$4 ,9 #ahef an appropriation 0  
ent]$ into1 b ! jetties 7 nev] complet$4
 ,lat] ?an t dr$g+ 0 tri$ aga94 ,up to  
#ahge m ?an eighte5 feet ( dep? _h nev] 
be5 obta9$1 & ev5 t c\ld n be /eadily   
pres]v$4 ,*annels1 op5$ 9 l[ wat]1 7    
quickly fill$ up ) s$im5t 9 high wat]1 &
 sometimes a sev]e /orm w\ld wa% 9 en\gh
 s& f ! gulf to undo ! result ( mon?s ( 
dr$g+4  ,z e>ly z #ahcb a %ip canal ne> 
,=t ,sa9t ,philip1 :i* %\ld cut ?r\gh ! 
riv] bank out to ! gulf1 _h be5 plann$1 
& ?is solution _h be5 approv$ ( by !    
,l\isiana legislature4 ,t idea _h be5   
reviv$ f "t to "t4 ,& !re _h also m ?an 
once be5 new recomm5dations made =      
jetties1 :i* by n>r[+ ! *annel %\ld     
deep5 x4 ,f9ally ,congress ord]$ surveys
 & plans = ! canal1 & !n appo9t$ a bo>d 
n only to report on !m1 b also to       
asc]ta9 ! feasibility ( improv+ ! *annel

 ( "o ( ! natural outlets ( ! riv]4 ,9  
#ahgd ?is bo>d report$ 9 favor ( !      
canal1 & aga9/ ! idea ( jetties1 :i*1 9 
its op9ion1 c\ld h>dly be built1 c\ld n 
be ma9ta9$1 & w\ld be excessively co/ly4
  ,?is1 !n1 0 ! situation :5 ,eads      
appe>$ on ! sc5e3 scrat*+ & scrap+ 7 go+
 on 9 ,s\? ,we/ ,pass1 b 7 do+ little   
real & no la/+ good2 ! gov]nm5t eng9e]s 
_h decl>$ !mselves 9 favor ( a canal2 & 
?\gh 9 "s qu>t]s jetties _h be5         
advocat$1 sc>cely any "o ?\ght !y c\ld  
be built1 or t if !y 7 !y w\ld la/1 or t
 !y w\ld d any good4 ,eads1 h[ev]1      
und]/ood ! riv] l a book1 & he _h /udi$ 
?is p>ticul> subject4 ,he n[ came =w>d  
publicly1 (f]+ n only to build & to     
ma9ta9 jetties :i* w\ld insure a        
tw5ty-eight foot *annel1 b to d all ?is 
= less ?an half ! co/ ! bo>d _h e/imat$1
 & on a contract :i* %\ld provide = 8   
be+ paid only 9 case he succe$$4 ,f ?is 
rem>kable (f] 8 own confid5ce 9 8 plans 
may be inf]r$4 ,a purpose :i* he _h     
reason$ out z practical became an       

inspiration to him :i* no?+ c\ld %ake1 =
 8 c\rage equal$ 8 convictions4  ,b s   
bold 0 8 proposition t he 0 consid]$ a  
wild en?usia/4 ,nev] at a loss to solve 
any problem1 aga91 z :5 he plann$ !     
bridge1 he und]took to d :at 0 commonly 
held to be impossible4 ,( c\rse1 all !  
back]s ( ! canal s*eme oppos$ him       
bitt]ly4 ,new ,orleans 0 ( t faction4   
,sa9t ,l\is1 on ! o!r h&1 upheld him    
because ( 8 p]sonal popul>ity & 8 signal
 success ) ! bridge4 ,! army eng9e]s 7  
aga9/ him z a civil eng9e]4 ,?us !      
controv]sy 0 sectional1 p]sonal1 &      
pr(essional4 ,up to ?is "t ! gov]nm5t _h
 inv>iably intru/$ all works ( riv] &   
h>bor improvem5t to ! milit>y eng9e]s2 &
 to h& ov] ! mo/ important "o x _h ev]  
und]tak5 to a private citiz51 & to p]mit
 him to apply a me?od t _h j be5        
condemn$ 9 a report sign$ by six out (  
sev5 ( ! mo/ di/+ui%$ army eng9e]s1 met 
) decid$ opposition4 ,s ! gov]nm5t      
hesitat$4 ,c]ta9ly ?is 0 a proposal to  
make !m consid]1 promis+1 z x did1 an   

op5 riv] m\?1 at a co/ mu* l[] ?an t ( !
 canal1 & 9 case ( failure leav+ ! total
 loss to fall ^u ! contractor4 ,besides1
 sev]al em95t civil eng9e]s support$    
,eads's !ory4 ,! ,h\se1 nev]!less1 pass$
 ! canal bill2 b ! ,s5ate1 m ?or\gh1    
aft] call+ ,eads & two ( 8 pr9cipal     
oppon5ts to /ate _! views be=e a        
committee1 pass$ a bill appo9t+ a       
commission to reconsid] ! entire subject
 once m4 ,! discussion be=e ! ,s5ate    
committee 0 "o ( ! crises 9 ,eads's     
life4 ,! fate ( ! jetty ent]prise hung  
on ! outcome ( x4 ,=tunately = himself &
 = ! good ( ! c\ntry1 he 0 a mo/        
magnetic & p]suasive man4 ,8 !ories &   
argum5ts 7 s\nd & logical1 8 exp]i5ce ( 
! riv] 0 va/2 & beyond 8 aptitude = mak+
 te*nical reason+ simple & cle>1 8 skill
 z a diplomati/ 0 equal to 8 ability z  
an eng9e]4  ,s ! commission 0 appo9t$2  
&1 ultimately1 on acc\nt ( ! f>-rea*+   
importance ( ! "q ( riv]-m\? improvem5t1
 its memb]s decid$ to g to ,europe to   
inquire into ! matt]4 ,ab\t ! same "t1 &

 = ! same purpose1 ,eads also w5t       
abroad1 & :ile !re he made a c>eful /udy
 ( ! works at ! m\?s ( ! ,danube1 !     
,rhone1 & sev]al o!r ,european riv]s4   
,:at he saw !re s]v$ only to /r5g!n 8   
confid5ce 9 8 own plans4 ,:5 he return$ 
home1 !re _h be5 a notewor?y *ange 9    
public s5tim5t4 ,?\gh !re /ill rema9$ _m
 ei!r prejudic$ or hone/ enemies to 8   
plan1 & al?\gh ! newspap]s 7 /ill noisy 
) _! *eap & ignorant opposition1 !      
c\ntry at l>ge & ,congress 7 incl9$ to  
accept ! (f]1 :i* promis$ !m s mu* at no
 risk at all4  ,! commission1 return+   
too f ,europe1 :]e x _h made z c>eful   
inve/igations z ^? ( ,eads1 report$1 by 
a majority ( six to "o1 9 favor ( try+  
jetties 9 ! ,s\? ,pass4 ,?is pass1 !    
smalle/ ( ! ?ree m\?s1 _h a dep? ( only 
eight feet on its b>1 & _h besides a    
%oal at its head4 ,! ,s\? ,we/ ,pass1 ! 
"o :i* ,eads _h propos$ to use1 is n    
only two or ?ree times z big1 bo? 9 wid?
 & 9 volume ( wat]1 b x _h f\rte5 feet  
on ! b>1 & no %oal at its head4 ,eads   

argu$ & implor$ ) all 8 /r5g? to be     
all[$ to use ! l>g] pass1 z ! only "o   
adequate to ! dem&s ( comm]ce2 & s      
conv9c+ 7 8 reasons t ! ,h\se pass$ a   
bill :i* call$ = jetties 9 ! l>g] pass4 
,b ! ,s5ate1 aga9 m cons]vative1 0      
cauti\s 9 ?is exp]im5t1 & insi/$ on !   
small pass4 ,f9ally1 ! bill w5t ?r\gh1 &
 ! grant 0 made = ! improvem5t ( ,s\?   
,pass4 ,& not)/&+ ! consid]able diff]5ce
 9 size1 z well z prelim9>y conditions  
altoge!r less promis+ ?an 9 ! pass ,eads
 _h ask$ =1 /ill1 ! dep? ( ?irty feet 0 
to be obta9$1--! same result "u h>d]    
circum/ances4 ,! paym5t promis$1 h[ev]1 
0 n increas$ ) ! difficulty2 b on !     
contr>y 0 to be a good deal less ?an !  
e/imate ( ! commission4 ,! t]ms1 :i*    
requir$ c]ta9 specifi$ dep?s & wid?s (  
*annel to be obta9$ & !n ma9ta9$ dur+   
tw5ty ye>s1 7 s arrang$ t ,eads %\ld n  
receive any "p ( 8 paym5t till aft] ! "w
 cov]$ by t "p _h be5 f9i%$ & approv$4  
,h>d z ^! conditions 71 !y 7 bas$ on 8  
own proposal1 & he 0 glad ev5 on su*    

t]ms to und]take ! great "w he _h long$ 
to d4 ,he at once busi$ himself 9 rais+ 
money = beg9n+ ! ,jetties1 & "h aga9 8  
peculi> tal5ts help$ him4 ,"o ( 8 fri5ds
 has said1 ,8 p[]s ( p]suasion1 8 *>m ( 
address1 & ! magnetism ( 8 p]sonality   
op5$ ! he>ts & purses ( :omev] he plead$
 ) 9 support ( 8 eng9e]+ devices4 ,he 0 
a mo/ lovable man4 ,moreov]1 he 0 an    
excell5t bus9ess man4 ,he _h inde$ a    
m>vel\s faculty = obta9+ funds ) :i* to 
c>ry on 8 works2 & 9 t "t ( f9ancial    
di/ress su* a faculty 0 v necess>y4  ,! 
!ory on :i* he bas$ 8 jetties 0 really  
extremely simple4 ,he said t1 o!r ?+s   
be+ equal1 ! am\nt ( s$im5t :i* a riv] c
 c>ry is 9 direct proportion to its     
velocity4 ,:51 = any reason1 ! curr5t   
becomes sl[] at any special place1 x    
drops "p ( its burd5 ( s$im5t at t      
place1 & :5 x becomes fa/] aga9 x picks 
up m4 ,n[1 "o ?+ t makes a riv] sl[] is 
an increase ( its wid?1 because !n !re  
is m frictional surface2 & contr>iwise1 
"o ( ! ?+s t make x fa/] is a n>r[+ (   

its wid?4 ,n>r[ ! ,mississippi !n1 at   
its m\?1 said ,eads1 & x w become swift]
 !re1 & consequ5tly x w remove its s(t  
bottom by pick+ up ! s$im5t 7( :i* x w  
!n hold mu* m71 & by c>ry+ x out to !   
gulf1 to be lo/ 9 deep wat] & swept away
 by curr5ts2 & ?us1 he said1 y w h y\r  
deep *annel4 ,9 o!r words1 if y give !  
riv] "s assi/ance by keep+ its curr5t   
toge!r1 x w d all ! necess>y labor &    
sc\r out its own bottom4  ,today1 s9ce  
?is !ory has be5 prov$1 x seems z simple
 z ,a ,b ,c4 ,& x is almo/ impossible to
 believe :at opposition x !n ar\s$4 ,p 7
 n only set on block+ ! und]tak+1 b !y 7
 actually ignorant en\gh to d5y t !     
velocity ( wat] _h any connection ) its 
s$im5t-c>ry+ p[]4 ,ev5 if ! n>r[+       
process %\ld happ5 to give a *annel     
?r\gh ! pres5t b>1 !y said1 a new "o    
w\ld pres5tly =m beyond1 & s ! jetties  
w\ld h to be ext5d$ e ye>4  ,h[ev]1     
,eads _h 8 contract & 8 back]s & 8 ideas
 & 8 fai? 9 !m2 & he set to "w on !     
little pass4 ,! actual delta ( !        

,mississippi consi/s ( no?+ b wat]1 m>%1
 & "s s&y soil be>+ will[s4 ,at ! sea   
end ( ,s\? ,pass ,eads ext5d$ ! l[ banks
 out ov] ! b>1 by driv+ r[s (           
guide-piles & s9k+ will[ mattresses     
close alongside !m on ! riv]side4 ,!    
mattresses 7 sunk 9 ti]s1 & ea* ti] 0   
weight$ well ) rock1 put 9 z soon z ea* 
mattress 0 9 position4 ,z usual he      
inv5t$ _m ( ! requisite me*anical       
appliances & contrivances himself1 &    
g5]ally su* good ones t 8 me?ods came to
 take ! place ( e>li] ones4 ,! ,s\?     
,pass 0 n only ! smalle/ & %all[e/ ( !  
m\?s1 b x 0 besides m difficult ?an !   
o!r two 9 hav+ a b> at its head z well z
 at its sea end4 ,& al?\gh by 8 contract
 ,eads 0 n requir$ to remove t b>1 by ! 
exig5cies ( ! case he 04 ,l ! o!r x _h  
to be attack$ ) wat]1 guid$ by dikes &  
dams1 :i* 7 simil> 9 con/ruction to !   
two p>allel banks1 ! jetties prop]4 ,!  
s*eme 0 always to =ce ! riv] itself to d
 all ! real "w2 & ?\gh !re 01 to be     
sure1 a good deal ( plann+ & build+1 !  

ma9 idea1 z already expla9$1 is exce$+ly
 simple4 ,eads nev] pret5d$ to h        
orig9at$ ?is idea4 ,he _h /udi$ _m      
jetties 9 ,europe4 ,he _h _h ! eye to   
see t !y c\ld be adapt$ to !            
,mississippi1 & ! skill to adapt !m4 ,= 
simple z ! bald !ory is1 !re 0 ne$ ( !  
nice/ appreciation ( laws & =ces 9      
apply+ x1 & ! result has be5 call$ !    
greate/ eng9e]+ feat ev] accompli%$4 ,! 
problem ( mak+ ! quantity ( wat] ne$$   
run up into ! smalle/ pass ?r\gh a n>r[1
 artificially contract$ *annel1 locat$  
imm$iately betwe5 two great natural     
outlets1--?is problem be+ complicat$ by 
_m occult conditions1--has be5 call$1 by
 no mean eng9e]1 p]haps ! mo/ difficult 
problem ev] dealt ) successfully4 ,!re  
is no in/ance1 inde$1 9 ! _w :]e su* a  
va/ volume ( wat] is plac$ "u su*       
absolute & p]man5t control ( ! eng9e]1  
?r\gh me?ods s economic & simple4  ,to !
 non-me*anical m9d ! control ( su* a    
multitude ( ab/ruse1 m9ute1 & exact     
details z comb9e 9 ! mak+ ( a bridge    

seems p]haps m m>vel\s ?an ! m]e b5d+ ( 
nature's =ces to s]ve ! ends ( man4 ,9  
,eads ! p[] to d bo? exi/$4  ,on piles 9
 ! m>% h\ses 7 built = ! eng9e]s & !    
workm51 & ! ,jetties 7 begun4 ,eads 0 n 
able to be !re 9 p]son all ! "t1 b z    
usual 8 *oice ( compet5t & fai?ful      
lieut5ants 0 notewor?y4 ,8 plans 7      
approv$ by an advisory bo>d ( v em95t   
eng9e]s2 & by ! end ( "o ye> ! value ( !
 "w began to %[4 ,z yet x 0 n v /rong or
 solid1 b x _h deep5$ ! wat] on ! b> f  
n9e to sixte5 feet4  ,none ! less ! /orm
 ( detraction cont9u$4 ,!re 7 en\gh     
difficulties to meet )\t ?is1 b none (  
!m 0 met m =cibly4 ,x 0 nev] ,eads's way
 to attack o!r p 9 a malici\s _s1 = he 0
 nev] jeal\s2 nor did he (t5 deign to   
answ] purely p]sonal attacks4 ,b 9      
def5se ( 8 und]tak+s1 to protect !m & ! 
p :o _h put money into !m1 he 0 ready to
 fight4 ,8 def5se commonly took ! =m (  
criticism ( 8 critics1 & 9 su* writ+ 8  
p5 0 decid$ly tr5*ant4 ,probably no man 
ev] incurr$ m fooli% criticism1 &       

probably none ev] po9t$ out m pla9ly h[ 
fooli% x 04 ,ev5 ! able/ ( 8 adv]s>ies  
confess$ !mselves afraid ( 8 p54        
,besides ?is p>ry+ ( attack1 he 0       
cont9ually writ+ & talk+ to %[ !        
simplicity & feasibility ( 8 me?od2 & "o
 man phras$ :at x is likely _m          
exemplifi$1 t a few m9utes' conv]sation 
) ,eads _h done m to conv]t him to !    
,jetties ?an any am\nt ( writ+ & ( talk+
 ) o!r p c\ld h done4 ,always mode/ &   
unassum+1 he 0 s ?or\ghly 9 e>ne/ t he  
conv9c$ o!rs by 8 own conviction4  ,nev]
 0 a man less afraid to "w4 ,ye>s be=e1 
9 ! div+-bell days1 he _h set himself ! 
prec$5t ( nev] ask+ an employee to d :at
 he himself w\ld fe> to d4 ,&1 on ! o!r 
h&1 he did n hesitate to ask an employee
 to d z mu* "w z he himself w\ld h done4
 ,8 =m] confid5tial cl]k has told me t  
sometimes1 aft] ev5+s ( discussion1     
,eads on />t+ to b$1 p]haps at midnight1
 w\ld say to him1 ,n[1 h t figur$ out = 
me 9 ! morn+1 :i* meant ?ree or f\r h\rs
 ( scrupul\s figur+ or writ+ to be done 

by eight ! next morn+4  ,und\bt$ly he   
c\ld n h work$ s h>d z he did himself _h
 he n be5 able to ?r[ aside 8 c>es &    
problems :5 he 0 n actively engag$ ) !m4
 ,a v sociable man1 he lik$ n only to be
 ) p1 b to be mak+ !m enjoy !mselves4   
,?us he 0 bo? g5]\s & jovial4 ,no "o    
lov$ m to give pres5ts2 no "o knew m    
droll /ories & m poetry4 ,nor 0 8       
joviality by any means a desc5t2 = n    
only be=e royalty 0 he dignifi$1 b 9 !  
mo/ democratic assembly4 ,8 0 n1 h[ev]1 
a =bidd+ dignity4 ,simple-he>t$ z a     
*ild1 he 0 fond ( *ildr51 & !y 7 fond ( 
him4  ,( c\rse1 he kept up 8            
miscellane\s read+4 ,he 0 specially     
devot$ to poetry2 & lov$ n only to      
recite v]se ^u v]se al\d1 b also to read
 to 8 fri5ds & associates4 ,z usual1 8  
en?usiasm spread to o!rs4 ,"o old lady  
has told me t %e nev] _h ?\ght mu* (    
poetry till %e he>d him read x4 ,burns &
 ,edw9 ,arnold & ,t5nyson 7 favorites2 &
 !re is a lett] writt5 by ,eads to      
,t5nyson1 app>5tly to s5d him a clipp+ 9

 :i* ! "o 0 describ$ recit+ f ! o!r's   
poems4 ,eads excuses himself = intrud+ )
 8 tribute1 & rem>ks t bo? ( !m h built 
works de/9$ to outlive _! au?ors4 ,he   
says x q mode/ly & c&idly1 z equal comes
 to equal2 ?rone to ?rone4  ,yet despite
 ! confid5ce ( _! build]1 despite 8     
*e]fulness1 ! ,jetties 7 n gett+ along  
well4 ,to be sure1 !y 7 /eadily deep5+ !
 *annel1 & !reby prov+ to all +5u\s     
p]sons :o 7 undeceiv$ t jetties 7 :at _h
 long be5 ne$$1 & t !y %\ld be help$    
along & f9i%$4 ,b ! ,jetties 7 situat$  
f> (f 9 a remote m>%l& :]e few p saw !m2
 consequ5tly ne>ly ev]ybody 0 ei!r      
deceiv$ or 0 dis+5u\s4 ,p :o _h no      
bus9ess to int]f]e did int]f]e4 ,e hit* 
0 %\t$ abroad1 e success 0 conceal$ or  
twi/$4 ,concrete difficulties 7 enorm\s4
 ,sudd5 /orms at j ! wrong "t delay$ &  
undid ! "w4 ,! ne$ = m money 0 press+1 &
 x c\ld be borr[$ only at exorbitant    
rates ( int]e/4 ,! newspap]s 7 clamor+ t
 ! ra% exp]im5t 0 a failure2 & ?\gh1 (  
c\rse1 x 0 n a failure1 /ill x might h  

fall5 ?r\gh1 :5 "o day ! ,cromwell l9]1 
,hudson1 draw+ ov] f\rte5 feet ( wat]1  
came 9 ?r\gh ! ,jetties1 & !y 7 sav$4   
,al?\gh ! pre/ige ( ! und]tak+ 0 ?us    
e/abli%$1 ,eads realiz$ t 8 contract ) !
 gov]nm5t 0 too sev]e4 ,n t he ask$ to  
be paid be=eh& = 8 "w1 b he did ask to  
be paid z ! "w 0 actually done4 ,s      
evid5t 7 8 en]gy1 skill1 & good fai? t  
,congress promptly vot$ him an advance (
 a million doll>s4 ,x also s5t a        
commission to inspect & to report on !  
progress & effici5cy ( ! works4 ,?is    
commission1 :ile report+ favorably1     
advis$ aga9/ any fur!r advance paym5ts4 
,b ,congress1 nev]!less1 vot$ him       
?ree-qu>t]s ( a million m4 ,x is said t 
?is is ! only in/ance :]e ! gov]nm5t has
 vot$ money to an individual 9 advance (
 ! specific t]ms ( 8 agreem5t4 ,moreov]1
 8 contract 0 re-arrang$ s z to be less 
oppressive4  ,x has be5 said t if ,eads 
_h fail$ ) ! ,jetties he w\ld n only h  
de/roy$ 8 reputation1 b he w\ld h be5 a 
begg>1--?\gh1 "s "o add$1 he w\ld /ill h

 des]v$ ev]la/+ gratitude = 8 ef=ts &   
sacrifices4 ,& n[ he _h already succe$$ 
9 *ang+ ! little pass into a gr& *annel 
( comm]ce suffici5t = ! l>ge/ %ipp+ t   
visit$ ,new ,orleans4 ,yet ! viol5t     
opposition & ! calumnies /ill cont9u$4  
,!re 0 a wond]ful p]si/5cy 9 ! false    
reports :i* came f bitt] oppon5ts :o    
w\ld n be conv9c$4 ,! fooli%ness &      
ignorance ( _! argum5ts are almo/       
incr$ible4 ,b h[ev] fooli%1 !y _h to be 
disprov$2 & ,eads set himself pati5tly  
to "w to po9t out ! errors 9 logic & 9  
physics2 & 9 do+ s he wrote :at ^? :o "k
 call "o ( ! greate/ works on riv]      
hydraulics4  ,:ile !re 7 s _m m5's h&s  
aga9/ ,eads1 x is pleasant to record t  
!re 7 also _m = him4 ,x 0 ! ,sci5tific  
,am]ican :i* fir/ sugge/$ 8 "n = !      
presid5cy4 ,x advocat$ him z a fe>less1 
hone/1 & =ceful man2 b ! peculi>        
complim5t 9 x 0 t ?is 0 a te*nical pap] 
t upheld him4 ,! proposal 0 repeat$ 9 _m
 newspap]s1 b ,eads _h no m int5tion n[ 
?an ev] ( go+ into politics4 ,he knew 9 

:at l9e he c\ld d mo/ = 8 c\ntry1 & _h  
an ambition r to be a supremely useful  
eng9e] ?an to be presid5t4  ,ano!r ( 8  
admir]s 0 ! late ,emp]or ( ,brazil1 ,dom
 ,p$ro ,,ii41 :o1 aft] a visit to !     
,jetties1 fir/ tri$ to p]suade ,eads to 
g to ,brazil to d "s v important "w =   
him1 & :o !n1 fail+ t1 s5t him a p]sonal
 lett] ask+ him to recomm5d an eng9e]4  
,& he engag$ ! "o :om ,eads recomm5d$4  
,9 #ahgi1 a little ov] f\r ye>s f ! "t !
 ,jetties 7 begun1 ! ,unit$ ,/ates      
inspect+ (fic] !re report$ ! maximum    
dep? ( ?irty feet & ! requir$ wid? &    
dep?s ?r\gh\t ! *annel4 ,!reupon all !  
rema9d] ( ! price agre$ 0 paid ov] to   
,eads1 except+ a million doll>s1 :i* 0  
kept1 at int]e/1 z a gu>antee1 dur+     
tw5ty ye>s' actual ma9t5ance ( ! *annel4
 ,omitt+ f ! c\nt e day ( defici5t      
*annel1 ^! tw5ty ye>s are n[ 7#aijj7    
almo/ ov]2 ! results 9 ! *annel & 9 ! "p
 ( ! gulf j beyond ! ,jetties h be5     
precisely & entirely :at ! projector ( !
 works pr$ict$ :5 he began !m4 ,! b> has

 nev] =m$ aga94 ,! ,jetties !mselves1 s 
f> f hav+ to be l5g!n$1 are %ort] ?an !y
 7 orig9ally design$4 ,9 a ^w1 ! sole   
legitimate objection t c be made to !m  
is t !y d n furni% a great en\gh dep?4  
,( c\rse !y furni% ! requir$ dep?1 & z  
great a dep? und\bt$ly z c possibly be  
_h 9 ! little ,s\? ,pass4 ,%ips1 h[ev]1 
n[ draw m wat] ?an !y did tw5ty-five    
ye>s ago1 & a /ill deep] *annel is ne$$4
 ,! be/ pro( ( ! success ( ! pres5t "o  
is t ! gov]nm5t is prep>+ to apply !    
same plan to ! big ,s\? ,we/ ,pass1 :i* 
,eads begg$ to op5 & 0 n all[$ to4 ,x is
 said t 9 t pass he w\ld h produc$ ?irty
 feet 9 "o ye>4 ,b no?+ is m useless to 
discuss ?an :at might h be54 ,:at ,eads 
has accompli%$ ) 8 ,jetties is c]ta94   
,"o result ( 8 a*ievem5t 0 a quick      
improvem5t 9 prices4 ,e acre1 mill1     
f>mh\se 9 ! :ole ( ! ,mississippi       
,valley 0 increas$ 9 value by ! impetus 
:i* ! op5 riv]-m\? gave to comm]ce4 ,new
 ,orleans rose f ! elev5? to ! second   
export city 9 ! c\ntry4 ,consequ5tly !re

 0 a great increase 9 ! numb] ( l9es (  
%ips go+ !re1 & 9 _! tonnage4 ,& z a    
result ( t !re 0 a rapid increase 9     
railway facilities4 ,9 tw5ty ye>s f !   
comm5cem5t ( ! ,jetties !re 0 a ga9 ( "o
 hundr$ p] c5t4 9 ! total comm]ce ( ,new
 ,orleans1 ne>ly all ( x due to ^!      
works4 ,?is boom has1 despite ! m>vel\s 
multiplication ( railways1 pres]v$ !    
riv] traffic2 & ! riv] traffic1 z       
always1 has by competition l[]$ freight 
rates4 ,! effect has spread to remote   
di/ricts2 & by ?is r$uction 9 rates &   
prices !re is no d\bt t ! ,jetties h    
made liv+ *eap] on ! ,atlantic seabo>d z
 well z 9 ! ,mississippi ,valley4  ,ev5 
m3 9 ano!r way !y h made liv+ *eap]4 ,! 
half-rail-&-half-wat] r\te f ! ,pacific 
coa/ to ,new ,york via ,new ,orleans1   
:i* ! ,jetties fir/ made possible1 =c$ !
 transcont95tal railways to cut d[n _!  
"t = %ipp+ freight ov] "o half4 ,!      
tonnage by ?is new] r\te has increas$   
enorm\sly1 & its competition has affect$
 comm]ce by r$uc+ all rates f !         

,mississippi ,valley & ! ,we/ & !       
,pacific slope to ! ,atlantic seabo>d & 
to ,europe4 ,z a consequ5ce bread has   
be5 made *eap] to all ! great           
populations t require ! food products ( 
! c5tral zone & ! ,pacific slope4       
,ano!r v diff]5t b curi\s *ange is      
probably l>gely due to ! ,jetties4 ,be=e
 _! con/ruction only v light-draught    
%ips c\ld safely rea* ,new ,orleans2 b x
 0 s favorite a cotton port t _m own]s  
w\ld build vessels ( unusually light    
draught1 9 ord] t !y might make "o trip 
a ye> to ,new ,orleans ) !m1 al?\gh !   
re/ ( ! "t !y sail$ to deep] ports4 ,z  
soon z x became kn[n ov] ! %ipp+ _w t   
,new ,orleans 0 n[ op5 to deep-draught  
vessels1 a great _m new ones 7 built4   
,?us ! ,jetties1 z mu* z any o!r cause1 
br\ght 9 ! era ( great %ips4  ,x has be5
 calculat$ f /ati/ics1 :i* x is n       
necess>y to give "h1 t ! annual sav+ to 
produc]s ( ! ,mississippi ,valley br\ght
 ab\t by ! fall ( rates1 ! sav+ 9 m>9e  
insurance1 & ! sav+ 9 "t1 due to !      

,jetties1 is #e1jjj1jjj2 & x is         
fur!rmore calculat$ t ! annual money    
value ( ! ,jetties to ! p ( ! c\ntry at 
l>ge is1 by a v cons]vative e/imate1    
#be1jjj1jjj4  ,ev5 ! ,jetties1 h[ev]1 7 
n ! end ( ,eads's ef=ts t[>d !          
improvem5t ( ! ,mississippi4 ,= sev]al  
ye>s be=e _! completion he _h be5       
deliv]+ addresses urg+ ! application ( !
 same sy/em to ! entire alluvial bas9 ( 
! riv] f ! gulf to ,cairo4 ,p 7 9       
despair z to :at to d to prev5t ! break+
 ( ! levees 7! results ( :i* are z      
t]rible to ! dwell]s on ^? flats z !    
avalan*e to p :o live on ! sides ( /eep 
m\nta9s71 & ! di/ress & pro/ration      
creat$ by ! awful spr+ floods4 ,mo/ p   
?\ght !re 7 two possible rem$ies1--to   
build m & high] levees1 & to dra9 (f "s 
( ! volume ( ! riv] ?r\gh ! ,l\isiana   
bay\s4 ,b ,eads insi/$ t ! requisite    
move 0 to r$uce ! excessive wid? ( c]ta9
 /ret*es ( ! riv] ) will[ mattresses2 by
 uni=mity ( wid? to produce uni=mity (  
dep?1 & consequ5tly uni=mity ( curr5t4  

,?is w\ld facilitate ! dis*>ge ( floods1
 & w\ld t5d to less5 ! ne$ ( any levees1
 :]eas draw+ (f any ( ! volume ( wat]1  
he said1 w\ld increase ! elevation ( its
 surface slope1 & ?us necessitate high] 
levees4  ,8 argum5ts on ! "q are cle> & 
=cible2 & x is likely t 8 plan1 if c>ri$
 out1 w\ld solve ! important "q ( !     
,mississippi4 ,b en\gh money to try x   
?or\ghly has nev] be5 appropriat$2 & s  
little effect has pat*+ _h1 t at ?is v  
day !re are /ill advocates ( ! s*eme (  
draw+ (f "s ( ! wat]1--a s*eme :i* ,eads
 bla/$ ye>s ago4  ,9 #ahgi !            
,mississippi ,riv] ,commission 0 creat$1
 consi/+ ( "o civilian & six milit>y &  
civil eng9e]s1 ( :om ,eads 0 "o4 ,b =   
him ! gov]nm5t w\ld n h und]tak51 at any
 rate at t "t1 its v compreh5sive sy/em 
( riv] improvem5t1 f\nd$ prim>ily on 8  
!ory4 ,besides giv+ a regul>1 deep5$    
*annel1 & putt+ an end to ov]fl[s1 he   
cont5d$ t 8 sy/em w\ld reclaim ab\t     
#cj1jjj squ>e miles ( ri* alluvial l&s  
subject to inundation4 ,= two ye>s he   

s]v$ on ?is commission3 = _m ye>s be=e  
he _h be5 work+ & fight+ = ! same gr&   
result1--gr& ?\gh almo/ fruitless4 ,he  
_h no selfi% int]e/ to subs]ve 9 ?is2 no
 contract to execute2 no?+ himself to   
ga94 ,b :51 on return+ f a trip to      
,europe1 he f\nd t ! "w 0 no long] be+  
c>ri$ on z he ?\ght x %\ld be1 he       
resign$ f ! commission4 ,deplor+ ! wrong
 me?ods us$1 he /ill 0 mo/ deeply       
int]e/$ 9 ?is great "w up to ! "t ( 8   
dea?4 ,if1 "s day1 ! ,mississippi is    
conqu]$1 x w d\btless be ?r\gh ! means  
he po9t$ out4     ,v  ,,!               
,,%ip-,,railway   ,:5 ! ,jetties 7 f9i%$
 & paid =1 ,eads f\nd himself 9 a v good
 situation4 ,n only 0 8 bold s*eme prov$
 to be a complete success1 b x _h 9 !   
end paid him well2 & he 0 promis$ /ill  
fur!r paym5t = ma9ta9+ 8 works tw5ty    
ye>s long]4 ,8 reputation 0 _w-wide4 ,he
 0 n[ fifty-n9e ye>s old4 ,five ye>s    
lat]1 9 #ahhd1 he w5t to live 9 ,new    
,york4 ,x is n h>d to imag9e :y s busy a
 man wi%$ to be m 9 ! c5tre ( ?+s1 ?\gh1

 = t matt]1 he _h n = "s ye>s pa/ sp5t  
mu* ( 8 "t at home4 ,!re 0 too mu* to   
make him travel4 ,besides ! frequ5t     
voyages :i* he 0 ord]$ to take = ! sake 
( 8 heal?1--& :i*1 z he 0 a v bad       
sailor1 he said 7 real m$ic9e1--he 0 9  
dem& "h & !re1 9 places miles ap>t1 =   
pr(essional s]vices2 & !n1 too1 he      
visit$ _m eng9e]+ works 9 v>i\s remote  
l&s1--riv] improvem5ts1 docks1 ! ,suez  
,canal4 ,x 0 n alone t 8 curiosity 0    
always heal?y1 b also t 8 education--!  
broad1 useful education t he gave       
himself--0 nev] end$4  ,we h se5 h[ he  
refus$ to g to ,brazil4 ,he 0 also want$
 at ,jacksonville1 ,florida1 :]e !      
citiz5s call$ him 9 #ahgh to exam9e !   
m\? ( ! ,sa9t ,john's ,riv]1 & to report
 on ! practicability ( deep5+ ! *annel  
?r\gh ! b> ) jetties4 ,he w5t !re1 &1   
aft] a p]sonal exam9ation1 pres5t$ a v  
elaborate report4 ,9 #ahhj ! gov]nor (  
,cali=nia _h reque/$ him to act z       
consult+ eng9e] ( t ,/ate1 & he         
accord+ly visit$ ! ,sacram5to ,riv]1 &  

report$ ^u ! plans = ! pres]vation ( its
 *annel & ! arre/ ( debris f ! m9es4 ,9 
#ahha he 0 consult$ by ! ,canadian      
,m9i/] ( ,public ,works on ! improvem5t 
( ! h>bor ( ,toronto1 :i* he also       
exam9$4 ,?is 0 ! fir/ in/ance 9 :i* !   
,canadian gov]nm5t _h ev] employ$ an    
,am]ican eng9e]4 ,:5 he 0 9 ,mexico1 !  
gov]nm5t !re ask$ him = reports on !    
h>bors ( ,v]a ,cruz & ,tampico &        
sugge/ions = _! improvem5t4 ,al?\gh he  
did n exam9e ^! two h>bors p]sonally1 he
 drew up plans on surveys furni%$ by    
eng9e]s :om he s5t !re2 & ! "w :i* has  
s9ce be5 c>ri$ out aft] 8 in/ructions   
has prov$ em95tly satisfactory4 ,aga91 x
 0 ! p ( ,vicksburg :o s5t = him to tell
 !m h[ to bett] _! h>bor2 & at ano!r "t 
he 0 consult$ ab\t ! ,columbia ,riv] 9  
,oregon & ab\t ,humboldt ,bay4 ,9 #ahhe 
! ,brazilian ,emp]or made a second      
attempt to secure 8 s]vices = an        
exam9ation ( ! ,rio ,gr&e del ,sul1 b   
ill heal? & press+ bus9ess prev5t$ 8    
acceptance ( ! (f]2 nor 0 he able to    

und]take ! exam9ation ( ! h>bor (       
,oporto reque/$ by ! ,portuguese        
gov]nm5t4 ,x seems sup]flu\s to say t   
all ! reports he did make 7 exhau/ive & 
em95tly in/ructive 9 _! treatm5t ( !    
subjects discuss$4  ,p]haps ! two mo/   
important pr(essional cases submitt$ to 
him 7 ^? 9 #ahhd on ! e/u>y & b> ( !    
,m]sey ,riv] & on ,galve/on ,h>bor4 ,9 !
 case ( ! ,m]sey he 0 call$ 91 at !     
solicitation ( ! ,m]sey ,docks & ,h>bor 
,bo>d ( ,liv]pool1 to settle a dispute4 
,appe>+ be=e a committee ( ! ,h\se (    
,lords1 he gave 8 te/imony z to ! effect
 :i* ! propos$ t]m9al works ( ! ,man*e/]
 %ip canal w\ld h ^u ! e/u>y ( ! ,m]sey 
& ! b> at ,liv]pool4 ,he br\ght to !    
solution ( ?is "q t same ke5 insight    
into hydraulics & ! same close          
application t _h made him s successful 9
 ?is c\ntry4 ,he %[$ s pla9ly :at w\ld  
inevitably be ! delet]i\s results ( !   
propos$ plans t ! committee decid$ aga9/
 !m4 ,subsequ5tly !y 7 *ang$ to con=m to
 8 sugge/ions4 ,= ?is report he receiv$ 

,l#cejj1 said to h be5 ! l>ge/ fee ev]  
paid to a consult+ eng9e]4  ,9 !        
,galve/on case1 ! same ye>1 he 0        
reque/$1 n only by ! city b by ! /ate   
legislature1 to =mulate a plan & to take
 a contract f ! ,unit$ ,/ates gov]nm5t =
 improv+ t h>bor4 ,! gov]nm5t _h already
 be5 c>ry+ on works !re = sev]al ye>s & 
accompli%+ no?+4 ,inde$1 x 0 ! jetty    
me?od--by ?is "t m highly ?\ght ( ?an t5
 ye>s be=e--:i* 0 be+ attempt$1 b n 9   
prop] =m4 ,eads1 aft] long & c>eful /udy
 ( ! situation1 made a plan1 :i* he (f]$
 to c>ry out on conditions v simil> to  
^? adopt$ 9 ! case ( ! ,mississippi     
,jetties1 b ,congress 0 n will+ to grant
 ! contract4 ,s9ce !n1 h[ev]1 ! works   
!re h be5 alt]$ accord+ to 8 sugge/ions1
 & h consequ5tly be5 m successful4  ,= a
 good _m ye>s1 ow+ to ! weakness ( 8    
lungs & to o!r illness1 ,eads _h n only 
_h to travel mu* = 8 heal?1 b to take   
special c>e ( himself g5]ally2 & yet1 to
 judge f ! foll[+ acc\nt1 9 ! fir/      
p]son1 ( h[ he _h sp5t ! ye> #ahhj1 x   

seems t 8 wondr\s en]gy _h n fail$3 ,i  
inspect$ ! ,riv] ,danube ab\t #hjj miles
 ( its c\rse2 & inve/igat$ ! cause &    
ext5t ( ! frightful inundation at       
,szeg$91 9 ,hung>y1 :i* involv$ an      
exam9ation ( #aej miles ( ! ,!iss ,riv]4
 ,i also exam9$ ! ,suez ,canal1 to      
famili>ize myself m ?or\ghly ) ! "q ( a 
%ip canal across ! ,am]ican i/hmus1 hav+
 previ\sly visit$ ! ,am/]dam %ip canal &
 ! "o at ! m\? ( ! ,riv] ,rhone4 ,z a   
memb] ( ! ,mississippi ,riv] ,commission
 ,i also aid$ 9 p]fect+ ! plans = !     
improvem5t ( t riv]1 & ! prep>ation (   
its report n[ "u consid]ation be=e      
,congress4 ,z consult+ eng9e] ( ! ,/ate 
( ,cali=nia ,i made a ?or\gh inspection 
( ! ,sacram5to ,riv]1 to consid] ! be/  
me?od ( repair+ ! injury to its         
navigation caus$ by ! hydraulic m9+     
op]ations !re1 & submitt$ a l5g?y report
 ^u x4 ,on my way back ,i visit$ !      
wond]s ( ! ,yell[/one ,p>k1 cross+ !    
,rocky ,m\nta9s 9 t excursion six       
diff]5t times4 ,)9 ?is "t ,i h ?rice    

visit$ ! ,jetties at ! m\? ( !          
,mississippi1 besides my visit to ! city
 ( ,mexico1 ,tehuantepec1 & ,yucatan4444
 ,i h also1 at ! reque/ ( ! mayor &     
c\ncil ( ,vicksburg1 twice visit$ t city
 dur+ ! la/ ye>1 to exam9e its h>bor ) a
 view to its improvem5t4  ,9 #ahhd ,eads
 receiv$ p]haps ! mo/ di/+ui%$ honor ( 8
 c>e]--! aw>d ( ! ,alb]t ,m$al4 ,z x    
came only two or ?ree mon?s aft] !      
report on ! ,m]sey1 x 0 und\bt$ly due to
 t z its imm$iate cause1 al?\gh !       
,jetties 7 almo/ specifically nam$ z !  
reason = ?is honor1--& ,eads _h n by any
 means lack$ ev5 e>li] appreciation 9   
,engl&4 ,?ree ye>s be=e1 at a meet+ ( ! 
,briti% ,association1 he _h be5 urg$1   
nay press$1 to deliv] an impromptu      
address on 8 works1 bo? complet$ &      
project$4 ,nev]!less1 x 0 n until aft] !
 ,m]sey report t ! ,alb]t ,m$al 0       
conf]r$ ^u him4 ,?is m$al1 f\nd$ 9 #ahfb
 9 memory ( ! ,pr9ce ,consort1 is aw>d$ 
annually by ! ,society = ! ,enc\ragem5t 
( ,arts1 ,manufactures1 & ,comm]ce4 ,x 0

 9 ,eads's case aw>d$ z a tok5 ( _!     
appreciation ( ! s]vices he _h r5d]$ to 
! sci5ce ( eng9e]+1 to ! eng9e] ^: works
 h be5 ( su* great s]vice 9 improv+ !   
wat] communications ( ,nor? ,am]ica1 & h
 !reby r5d]$ valuable aid to ! comm]ce (
 ! _w4 ,he 0 ! second ,am]ican citiz5 & 
! fir/ native-born ,am]ican to receive  
?is m$al4  ,( c\rse he belong$ to _m    
sci5tific organizations4 ,he 0 a memb] (
 ! ,eng9e]s ,club ( ,sa9t ,l\is1 & = two
 ye>s presid5t ( ! ,academy ( ,sci5ce   
!re2 he 0 also a memb] ( ! ,am]ican     
,geographical ,society1 ( ! ,in/itution 
( ,civil ,eng9e]s1 ,great ,brita91 & ( !
 ,briti% ,association1 & ( ! ,society = 
! ,enc\ragem5t ( ,arts1 ,manufactures1 &
 ,comm]ce2 a fell[ ( ! ,am]ican         
,association = ! ,advancem5t ( ,sci5ce2 
& a memb]1 fell[1 & = a ye>             
vice-presid5t ( ! ,am]ican ,society (   
,civil ,eng9e]s4  ,he 0 n[ a p]son ^:   
return f ,europe1 ) plans = riv]        
improvem5t1 & news ab\t a fre% eng9e]+  
s*eme1 0 an item 9 ! small z well z !   

l>ge newspap]s4 ,=1 s9ce ! ,jetties 7   
f9i%$1 he _h a new s*eme1--a decid$ly   
new "o x seem$ to mo/ p1--?\gh1 z =m]ly1
 he made no pret5se ( hav+ orig9at$ !   
idea4 ,in/ead ( re/+ cont5t1 n[ t he 0  
almo/ sixty1--ri*1 & honor$1 &          
frail1--in/ead ( re/+ cont5t on 8       
laurels ( ! gunboats1 ! ,bridge1 !      
,jetties1 he 0 z active z ev]1 ) ! hope 
( op5+ m roads to comm]ce & prosp]ity4  
,! publication ( ! proce$+s ( ,de       
,lesseps's ,int]oceanic ,canal ,congress
 9 #ahgi gave ,eads an opportunity to   
propose1 9 a lett] to ! ,new ,york      
,tribune1 8 own project = spann+ !      
i/hmus4 ,! ,tehuantepec r\te f ! ,gulf (
 ,mexico to ! ,pacific w\ld be1 9 !     
g5]al l9es ( travel1 ab\t #bjjj miles   
%ort] ?an ! ,panama r\te1 or #aejj miles
 %ort] ?an ! ,nic>agua4 ,& x 0 at       
,tehuantepec t ,eads propos$ build+1 n a
 canal1 b a %ip-railway4 ,! proposition 
0 a/\nd+4 ,x c]ta9ly sugge/$ v          
picturesque visions ( transportation2 b 
at fir/ sight x did n s\nd v            

practicable4 ,h[ev]1 ,eads held t x     
pres5t$ six great & purely practical    
advantages3 ,fir/1 x c\ld be built = mu*
 less ?an ! co/ ( a canal4 ,secondly1 x 
c\ld be built 9 "o qu>t] ( ! "t4        
,?irdly1 x c\ld1 ) absolute safety1     
transport %ips m rapidly4 ,f\r?ly1 its  
actual co/ c\ld be m accurately =etold4 
,fif?ly1 ! exp5se ( ma9ta9+ x w\ld be   
less ?an = a canal4 ,six?ly1 its        
capacity c\ld be easily increas$ to meet
 future requirem5ts4  ,9 #ahhj he appe>$
 be=e a committee ( ! ,h\se1 & 9 reply  
to ,de ,lesseps1 :o 0 advocat+ ! ,panama
 ,canal1 he /at$ 8 plan = ! %ip-railway4
 ,a few mon?s lat] he w5t to ,mexico1   
:]e ! gov]nm5t gave him1 besides a v    
valuable concession = build+ !          
%ip-railway1 its cordial assi/ance 9 8  
surveys4 ,x 0 at ?is "t t ,mexico       
reque/$ 8 aid 9 improv+ its two h>bors1 
& :5 he return$ home1 s5t him 9 !       
,mexican man-(-w>1 ! ,indep5d5cia4 ,!   
next ye> he propos$ to ,congress to     
build ! %ip-railway at 8 own risk1 & to 

give ! ,unit$ ,/ates special privileges1
 :i* _h be5 arrang$ = 9 8 ,mexican *>t]1
 provid$ ! gov]nm5t w\ld1 z he prov$ !  
practicability ( 8 plan by actual       
con/ruction & op]ation1 gu>antee "p ( ! 
%ip-railway's divid5ds4 ,al?\gh ?is     
arrangem5t w\ld h laid z little risk on 
! gov]nm5t z ! jetty arrangem5t _h1 x 0 
n accept$4  ,/range & ev5 unnatural z ! 
idea itself appe>$1 x 0 adapt$ f        
p]fectly simple %ip-railways already 9  
exi/5ce & 9 satisfactory use4 ,sci5ce1  
he said1 c\ld d any?+1 h[ev] trem5d\s1  
if x _h en\gh money4 ,9 ! magnifi$ =m   
contemplat$1 ! plan provid$ = a s+le    
track ( a doz5 p>allel rails1 & a c> )  
#aejj :eels4 ,on ?is c> 0 to be a huge  
cradle into :i* any %ip might be float$ 
& c>efully propp$4 ,! c> hav+ !n be5    
haul$ up a v slight incl9e out ( ! wat]1
 & mon/]1 d\ble-head$ locomotives hit*$ 
to x1 by g5tle grades x & ! %ip 7 to be 
drawn across to ! o!r ocean a hundr$    
miles away1 :]e ! %ip c\ld be float$    
aga94 ,to obviate any *ance ( /ra9+ !   

%ips1 all curves 7 to be avoid$ by ! use
 ( turn-tables4  ,nev]!less1 _m p       
believ$ t su* a j\rney w\ld /ra9 a %ip s
 mu* t x w\ld nev] float aft]w>ds4 ,on !
 o!r h&1 !re is s impos+ an array (     
names ( di/+ui%$ eng9e]s1 %ipbuild]s1 & 
seam51 :o decl>$ t ! plan 0 feasible 9 e
 p>ticul>1 t x is h>d to ?9k !y c\ld all
 h be5 mi/ak5 9 ?us support+ ! lead+    
eng9e] ( ! day4 ,x may easily be suppos$
 t e o!r imag9able & unimag9able        
objection 0 rais$1 b to "o & all ,eads  
gave an answ] t s\nd$ conclusive4  ,z   
usual he 0 will+ to back up 8 ideas )   
money1 & he _h ! mo/ elaborate surveys  
made1 & rem>kable models prep>$ to %[ ! 
work+ ( ! %ip-railway4 ,he prea*$ ?is   
new crusade ( sci5ce ) 8 cu/om>y vigor4 
,s _m m5 7 f9ancially int]e/$ 9 !       
project1 or 7 ready to be1 t x w\ld at  
all ev5ts h be5 te/$1 _h n its lead+ _s1
 ! v life ( x1 di$4  ,ev5 ?\gh he 0 at !
 same "t engag$ 9 inve/igations s       
important z ^? at ! ,m]sey & at         
,galve/on1 ,eads devot$ ! la/ six ye>s (

 8 life ma9ly to ?is d>+ & trem5d\s     
ent]prise4 ,9 #ahhe1 aft] obta9+ f !    
,mexican gov]nm5t a modification ( 8    
concession1 gu>antee+ "o ?ird ( ! net   
rev5ue p] annum1 he _h a bill introduc$ 
9 ,congress1 :]eby1 :5 ! %ip-railway    
%\ld be entirely f9i%$ & 9 op]ation1 !  
,unit$ ,/ates 0 to gu>antee ! o!r two   
?irds4 ,?\gh ?is bill 0 favorably       
report$1 ,eads f9ally decid$ to )draw x1
 & to ask aft] all = a simple *>t]1 :i* 
w\ld d\btless h be5 grant$4 ,dur+ ^? six
 ye>s !re 0 p]haps n ano!r man 9 !      
c\ntry :o 0 s able to p]suade o!rs ( !  
sci5tific1 f9ancial1 comm]cial s\ndness 
( 8 projects4 ,if1 m ?an any "o else1 he
 c\ld make a s*eme appeal1 x 0 n t x 0 9
 any s9i/] s5se a s*eme1 b because 8    
tact & 8 address 7 pleas+1 8 reputation 
firmly gr\nd$ = hone/y & common-s5se z  
well z = ?or\gh sci5tific k1 s t 8      
en?usiasm 0 contagi\s4 ,8 enemies might 
call him a lobbyi/1 b 8 sole means (    
p]suasion 7 ! s\ndness ( 8 views1 !     
cle>ness ( 8 argum5ts1 & ! f]vor ( 8 wi%

 to b5efit 8 c\ntry4  ,= ?is und]tak+1 z
 = 8 previ\s ones1 ,eads inv5t$ _m      
devices4 ,all 9 all he held ne>ly fifty 
pat5ts f ! ,unit$ ,/ates & ,engl& =     
useful inv5tions 9 naval w>f>e1 bridge  
f\ndations & sup]/ructure1 dr$g+ ma*9es1
 navigation1 riv] & h>bor works1 &      
%ip-railway con/ruction4  ,9 ,janu>y1   
#ahhg1 :5 8 bill 0 to come up1 he w5t to
 ,wa%+ton4 ,he 0 9 su* poor heal? t he 0
 n able to rema9 !re1 b on 8 doctor's   
advice he w5t ) 8 wife & "o daught] to  
,nassau4 ,:ile sick !re1 he 0 /ill at "w
 on improvem5ts = 8 %ip-railway4 ,he 0  
wont to say to 8 intimate fri5ds1 ,i    
%all n die until ,i accompli% ?is "w1 & 
see ) my own eyes great %ips pass f     
ocean to ocean ov] ! l&4 ,b 9 ,nassau x 
0 soon kn[n t he 0 dy+2 & /ill he said1 
,i _c die2 ,i h n f9i%$ my "w4  ,he di$ 
,m>* #h1 #ahhg1 n q sixty-sev5 ye>s (   
age4 ,no "o has f9i%$ 8 "w4             
99      99      99      99      99  ,9  
any c>e] !re are ?ree ma9 elem5ts (     
success3 tal5t1 education1 "w4 ,eads's  

life1 l t ( s _m o!r self-made m51 seems
 to %[ u t education is less important  
?an ! o!r two4 ,b :ile x is true t he _h
 n ! =mal education ( an eng9e]1 he _h a
 c]ta9 v broad tra9+ ga9$ 9 exp]i5ce1 & 
_h read h>d4 ,education1 aft] all1 is   
no?+ b a summ>y me?od ( tea*+ ! lessons 
( life2 !re=e1 :ile less insi/5t1 x is  
(t5 swift] ?an practical exp]i5ce4 ,&   
!re is no d\bt t a man l ,eads w\ld be !
 fir/ to deplore a "y man's fail+ to    
appreciate its value4 ,:5 he himself 0  
"y1 he nev] suppos$ t he 0 a g5ius2 b if
 he _h ?\ght ?is1 he w\ld h /riv5 to be 
! be/-read & ! be/-equipp$ ( g5iuses2   
believ+ t ?\gh he might be mi/ak5 ab\t 8
 tal5t he c\ld make sure ( 8 culture4   
,! ,riv]side ,press  ,electrotyp$ &     
pr9t$ by ,h4 ,o4 ,h\ghton  ,co44        
,cambridge1 ,mass41 ,u4 ,s4 ,a4