how to approach M. Daguerre who was a stranger to me.
On mentioning my desire to Robert Walsh, Esq., our worthy Consul,
he said to me; 'state that you are an American, the inventor
of the Telegraph, request to see them, and invite him in turn
to see the Telegraph, and I know enough of the urbanity and
liberal feelings of the French, to insure you an invitation.'
I was successfull in my application, and with a young friend,
since deceased, the promising son of Edward Delevan, Esq., I
passed a most delightful hour with M. Daguerre, and his enchanting
sun-pictures. My letter containing an account of this visit,
and these pictures, was the first announcement in this country
of this splendid discovery."

"I may here add the singular sequel to this visit. On the succeeding day
M. Daguerre paid me a visit to see the Telegraph and witness its operations.
He seemed much gratified and remained with me perhaps two hours;
two melancholy hours to him, as they afterwards proved; or while
he was with me, his buildings, including his diorama, his studio,
his laboratory, with all the beautiful pictures I had seen the day before,
were consumed by fire. Fortunately for mankind, matter only was consumed,
the soul and mind of the genius, and the process were still in existence."

On his return home, Professor Morse waited with impatience
for the revelation of M. Daguerre's process, and no sooner was it
published than he procured a copy of the work containing it,
and at once commenced taking Daguerreotype pictures.
At first his object was solely to furnish his studio with
studies from nature; but his experiments led him into a belief
of the practicability of procuring portraits by the process,
and he was undoubtedly the first whose attempts were attended