convinced of the fallacy of such a position. There is much yet to be
learnt, and if there be present either member, associate, or student to
whom I have imparted the smallest instruction, I shall feel that I have
not unprofitably occupied my time this evening.

* * * * *




ON TELPHERAGE.

[Footnote: Introductory address delivered to the Class of Engineering,
University of Edinburgh, October 30, 1883.]

By Professor FLEEMING JENKIN, LL.D., F.R.S.


"The transmission of vehicles by electricity to a distance,
independently of any control exercised from the vehicle, I will call
Telpherage." These words are quoted from my first patent relating to
this subject. The word should, by the ordinary rules of derivation, be
telphorage; but as this word sounds badly to my ear, I ventured to adopt
such a modified form as constant usage in England for a few centuries
might have produced, and I was the more ready to trust to my ear in the
matter because the word telpher relieves us from the confusion which
might arise between telephore and telephone, when written.

I have been encouraged to choose Telpherage as the subject of my address
by the fact that a public exhibition of a telpher line, with trains