A curious prophecy of the phonograph and telephone is contained in the next letter:—
| To Ann Maury of New York. |
| Washington, May 12th, 1844 |
. . . . What a pity it is that M. Daguerre, instead of photography, had not invented a process of writing, by merely speaking through a trumpet at a sheet of paper. What a glorious thing it would have been! I could then have hailed out letters to M. in the boldest hand, and at any time. Instead of saying, I wrote you a letter last Monday, the phrase would have been, I spoke you a ream last Tuesday. The world would become a mere scribbling shop—a vast book machine. When out visiting, and you would wish to give the cook an order you would only have to hail down the pipe and the cook would have a written order at her feet, and then there would be no mistake about the puddings.
What a convenience that would be to housekeepers!
Such a consummation, though, must be left for the generation of such as Davy Jones [2nd son, John Herndon Maury] and little Poll. 'Twould be a curious thing if they were to carry on a courtship in this way [and we now have Internet].
| To Ann Maury of New York. |
| Observatory, June 23rd, 1844. |
. . . . Tomorrow is Betty's and Nannie's birthday. They and "Goggin" (Dick)—ndeed their mother, aunts, and all hands—are as full of a trip to the Chain Bridge for a picnic as old King Seid was of his visit to the "Island in the Lake."
They—the three children—are to catch fish for dinner, and Vendovi (the dog) a hare. [William] Lewis Herndon is to go to row them in a boat. Mit (Lt. Wm. Lewis Herndon's wife) is forbidden to go unless she looks happy, for she hates picnics. Mr. Brown has fitted up a fishing rod for each. The bus is to take us up at 10 a.m., and come for us at five or six. We are to carry matches and make a fire, cut boughs and make a bower, and Davy Jones is to take his nap in the mill, or under the bridge, according to circumstances. The greatest
