The 1888 Crystal Palace recordings

MR. EDISON'S PHONOGRAPH

TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES

Sir, - At 2 o'clock this afternoon, at the address below, I had the honour to receive from Mr. Edison his "perfected phonograph," which, on the authority of Mr. Edison's own statement in his own familiar voice, communicated to me by the phonograph itself, "is the first instrument of his latest model that has been seen outside of his laboratory or has left his hands," and is consequently the first to reach this country.

At five minutes past 2 o'clock precisely I and my family were enjoying the at once unprecedented and astounding experience of listening to Mr. Edison's own family and unmistakable tones here in England - more than 3,000 miles from the place where he had spoken, and exactly ten days after, the voice having meanwhile voyaged across the Atlantic Ocean.

"His first phonogram," as Mr. Edison calls it, tells me, among other things, that this instrument contains many modifications of those which a few weeks ago were exhibited at the Electrical Club in New York, and so widely reported in the Press.

In the several long phonogramic communications to me (no single word of which had to be repeated in order to be clearly and easily understood by every person present, including a child of seven years old) Mr. Edison mentions that he will send me phonograms by every mail leaving New York, and requests me to correspond with him exclusively through the medium of the phonograph, humorously remarking in this connexion upon the advantages he will himself derive from the substitution of phonograms for a style of writing not always too legible. Next to the phonogram from Mr. Edison himself, and before all others of the interesting contents of "phonogramic cabinet" sent me, is an exquisite poem entitled "The Phonograph's Salutation," composed by the well-known gifted American post and preacher, the Rev. Horatio Nelson Powers, D.D., of Piermont, on the Hudson. This poem makes the phonograph tell its own story of what it is and what it does, in a style and with a power that most add not a little to the already high reputation of its author. It was spoken by him in the phonograph, so that we cannot fail to read it as he would have it read - a privilege of no small importance to both the poet and those who hear him.

Perhaps the highest justification of the phonograph's description of its own power in its "Salutation" is found in the fact that to several members of my family who are familiar with the rev. doctor's style of oratory, from having sat under his preaching in former years, the voice of the author is perfectly recognizable, even by me youngest child of seven years, who had not heard the voice since he was 5 years old.

Besides the above, Mr. Edison has sent for our amusement numerous musical records of great interest and beauty; pianoforte, cornet, and other instruments, solos, duets, &c., many of which, he tells me, have been frequently repeated, some several hundred times.

Altogether our experiences of the day have been so delightful and unusual, not to say supernatural, that it makes it difficult to realize that we have not been dreaming; so interesting withal as to make it seem a duty, as it is a pleasure, to communicate the above to your widely-read paper, which I have so frequently observed to chronicle the works of the author of this unparalleled triumph of mind over matter. All honour to Edison!

I have the honour to be, Sir, you obedient servant.

G.E GOURAUD

Little Menlo, Beulah-hill, Upper Norwood, Surrey, June 26.

P.S. It may be interesting to add that the above communication was spoken to me into the phonograph and written from the phonograph's dictation by a member of my family, who had, of course, no previous experience of the instrument.