THE ANNUNCIATORS. Below the open wire-work of the lightning guards comes the collection of “ annuncia tors.” Here are all the numbers of the whole telephone system, arranged in sections of 50. Between every two sections is an ordinary telephone receiver and transmitter, a switch, and a key with button for the answering ring. Happily there is no sound of bells, or the babel of sound which I have . described would bo simply intolerable. Each number is contained in a eihall receptacle of hoiae-shoe shape, and is ’covered by n little metal shutter, in shape like a Gothic window. The shutter is hinged at the bottom, and kept in position by an armature at the pointed or upper end. Each operator has charge of two of these sections of fifty. When a subscriber wants to telephone ho turns the handle of his instrument, the operation ring ing his bell and releasing the corresponding shutter, which, falling and disclosing the number, lets the operator know where the demand comes from. She touches the button of, her key, .thereby giving the sub scriber the answering ring, closes the shutter with her hand, and taking up her receiver hoars the subscriber’s demand, and speaks to him through the transmitter, and makes the necessary connection. The subscriber rings up, his shutter falls, and is replaced. It falls again when ho is answered by his cor respondent, and is again replaced by the operator. When the subscriber rings off the shutter falls for the third time (not counting, of course, the first or demanding ring), and as the rule is to disconnect after throe rings, the operator breaks the connection. Some times they know that several rings are given for reply, and then they do not disconnect. If there is a doubt whether conversation is going on, or whether the two talkers have left their telephones, the operator just taps the connec tion cord with ono of the idle cords, and finds out in a moment, acting accordingly.
