for smuggling, and its value for scientific objects must be secondary to the interests of the state, especially as the invention might be misapplied, while England had no submarine fortification.”
Bauer, recovering this last disillusion, applied once more to the French Government, and was surprised by an invitation to Paris. He was there introduced to a marine commission appointed to consider his plans; they were at once declared essentially original and practical, but the commission demanded that Bauer should explain the secret of the locomotive power discovered by him, which in the hyponaut sunk at Kiel had been for greater economy replaced by treadwheels. To this Bauer would not consent except the Government made a contract with him, “that a diving-ship should be built, and when its success and that of the new motive power were proved, he should be paid a becoming remuneration.” The Minister of Marine would not enter into such an agreement and broke off the negotiation.
At once, Bauer made up his mind to return to Germany, when he suddenly received a letter and five guineas from Prince Albert; the letter begged him to proceed as quickly as possible to England, the Prince believing he had found the means for carrying out the submarine vessel. By the Prince’s influence, Bauer was shortly brought in connection with Messrs. Scott, Russell, & Co.; and for seven months was engaged in their establishment, furnishing plans and drawings, not only for an exploding diver, on the hyponaut plan, but also for an under-water corvette. The months passed by, and no steps were taken to put his plans to the proof, when Lords Palmerston and Panmure, sent 10,000l., to carry them into action. Now, surely, the luckless spider will reach his web, and Bannockburn be won! At last, there are funds sufficient, material of the best, intelligent assistants. But behold, all this, also, was vanity! Messrs. Scott, Russell, & Co. politely informed the inventor they could do without further assistance from him, and he might go. Bauer’s most trusted assistant was installed in his place, the 10,000l. were spent, and the affair ended, as it deserved, in utter failure.
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“THE MITE OF DORCAS.”—By J. E. Millais.
