Postal Systems, Parabolas, Light and Balloons, to Boot!

[tyler wilson]

While biding my time in the O'-too-long lead-up to November 21st, I have 
been rereading Mason & Dixon—A literary pre-func, if you will. In light of 
the little we (do) know of Against the Day, I found the following paragraph 
interesting and thought I would put it out there for all to recollect:

(Of course, all apolgies if this was recently posted. I possibly would not 
know, what with all the talk of messages not appearing and mysterious 
membership cancellations)


"Speaking as Postmaster–General," Dr. Franklin will later amplify, back in 
Philadelphia,"— I see our greatest problem as Time,— never anything, but 
Time. For any message to reach its recipient, we must reckon in a fix'd 
delay,— months by ship,days over Land,— whilst via the Jesuit Telegraph, 
they enjoy their d———'d Marvel of instant Communication,"— far-reaching and 
free of error, thanks to giant balloons sent to great Altitudes, Mirrors of 
para- (not to mention dia-) bolickal perfection, beams of light focused to 
hitherto unimagined intensities,—so, at any rate, say the encrypted reports 
that find their ways to the desks of highly–plac'd men whose daily task it 
is, to make sure they know everything,— appropriate to their places,— that 
must be known.

MD 287


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I've been following y'alls discussions for quite some time and thought I 
would finally say a "How d'ye do?".

Now, on with it!

tyler

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