The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1841-10-29
A VERY SERIOUS CHAPTER
on WRESTLING AND SINGING.

We find the following paragraph, from the New
York Journal Of Commerce, going the rounds, and
we have made it a peg 10 hang very grave dis
QUESTION upon;
"Of all the contrivanccs for making music, none
has been so much eglec,ed, in proportion 10 lis
real worth as whistling. Almost every boy can
whistle, and almost every man soohes himself. IN
all his revcrics, with this natural instrument
Some PERSONS oener negroes than whites, acquire
the power of giving great force TO sounds uttered
in this way; and there is often so much interest in
this, that few blasts from a pair of thick, black
lips, will attract the attention Of all who are near.
We once knew n young man who was highly ac-
complished in the performance of vocal and lnsu-
mental music, but never could he interest his au-
dence so much as when he whstlcd Two oc-
laves are easily comprised by the whistle, and
sounds may be uttered with an emphasis and
sweetness which no instrument can equal. There
is more in the natural power than has been dream
ed vt; it wants only what il seldom recevcs-cul-
,ivaion. We propose that somebody who has cul-
livaled his own whistng powers should open a
school; and, now that musical concerts run low,
we will engage that concert of well-,raned whls-
tiers shall succeed perfectly. IT would be well to
hurry little about the matter. for times arc COM
ing when we may all whistle
| Now that is Just what we have always said
While men are constantly stranng their outlets, ia
produce what they vany imagine is musical sound
with their vocal powers, and 1t Is called genieel
accomplishment, the man who exercises his whist
ling powers, and with ten fold better success, is
regarded rs little better than ioafer--not thai
singing and whslIing can stand on the same level
they cannot they are as unlike as piano-lore
and n brass band--bolh excellent in their places
both equally worthy of cultivation, and both should
be equally genieei. Now whlstng is more pleas
ant TO the common ear than singing; and a man
may whistle with lmpuniiy, and perfect compa-
cency, too where he might not dare, or would be
ashamed to sing. We shall illustrate by-and-by.
| Did YOU ever hear a man whistle "Wood Up
| for nslance--put,ing in the bugle solo in smooth
musical tone, and bearing down on the chorus and
finale with a comparative power that no inslru
men, can equal And did YOU ever hear mar
try to sing it No man can sing "Wood Up
hut we have heard many man rhidle ii, and al
w,ys with pleasure, when well whlstled We USED
To be no fool ola chan at whistling ouseG;bu grow
inc wears, and growing cares, and growing dignity
and growing children, have driven US out of prac
lice sadIy-yet we can whistle Yankee Doodle,
upon pinch, even now.
There j. virtue in whisting. II is a social exer
cise, which can be practised solus, with advantage
There is many specimen Of humanity, we wot oil
for whose good company we would not exchange
our own good uhisfle. We have walked many I
sleepy Waterman from his midnight revere, by gu
solitary discourse Had we sung half as loud Al
we whlstled, most likely this same watchlnaI
would have taken Us up as q vagranl, and fellow
Of our size might have figured in one Of Counsel
Tor ellis police reports. And this illustrates on
of our positions. Singing in the streets is rordy
ish-whisling respectable. merely.
Whistling keeps up ones courage. Does ca
act IN her hideous night yell in your very path
lust whistle, and if the cal don't run, it will restor
to YOU the use of your legs. so that you can. Blu
Won can't do it by singing-the sound Of your owl
voice may fighten the cat, but it will Brighten yo'
as much Our vocation once called US to TO b.
about the streets and wharyes Of Boston, at al