It is well enough to fight
and scheme and bustle about in the eager crowd here [in London] for
a while now and then, but not for a lifetime. What I have now is
just perfect. Study for winter, action for summer, lovely country
for recreation, a pleasant town for talk . . .'
CHAPTER V. - NOTES OF TELEGRAPH VOYAGES, 1858 TO 1873.
BUT it is now time to see Jenkin at his life's work. I have before
me certain imperfect series of letters written, as he says, 'at
hazard, for one does not know at the time what is important and
what is not': the earlier addressed to Miss Austin, after the
betrothal; the later to Mrs. Jenkin the young wife. I should
premise that I have allowed myself certain editorial freedoms,
leaving out and splicing together much as he himself did with the
Bona cable: thus edited the letters speak for themselves, and will
fail to interest none who love adventure or activity. Addressed as
they were to her whom he called his 'dear engineering pupil,' they
give a picture of his work so clear that a child may understand,
and so attractive that I am half afraid their publication may prove
harmful, and still further crowd the ranks of a profession already
overcrowded.
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