The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1857-01-20
SCIENCE OF SOUND.

tits q curious fact in the history of sounds,
that the loudest noise perish almost on the
spot where they are pronounced, whereas
musical tones will be heard at distance.
Thus, if we approach within a mile or two
of town or village in which public Fair
is being held, las is customary in Europe)
we may hear very distinctly the organ and
other musical intruments which are played
for the amusement of the people, while the
Glamour of the multitude can be but family
heard. Again. if an old cremona violin be
played by the side of one Of modern manu-
facture, the latter will sound much the louder
of the two, but the sweet brilliant tone of
the former will be heard at a distance the
other cannot reach.
1t is well known fact that the human
voice is heard at greater distance than
that Of any other animal. Thus, when the
cottager's wife wishes to call her husband
from distance in the woods or open plains,
she pitches her voice to a musical key,
which she knows from habit, and by that
means reaches his ears. The loudest roar
of the largest lion could not penetrate SO
far. This property Of music in the human
voice is strikingly shown in the huge Euro
pean and other Cathed Hence, in tie
Catholic service the mass is entirely per-
formed in musical sounds-usually called
a s.chanting tone'-and become audible to
everg devotee, however placed in the re-
hottest part of the Curch, whereas, if the
same service had been read the sounds
would no have Travelled beyondthe precincts
of the choir, while those placed in the nave
or isle would have been unable to distin-
guish perhaps one sound from another, or
at least would have heard nothing intelligi-
BILE. A similar custom is still observed in
the Cathedral service proper of the united
churches of England and Ireland-that of
chanting nearly the whole service, and
though there are those that rail DANGEROUSLY
against it as being TOP Romanish, yet it is
custom in which there is something of
sound PHILOSOPHY it is well known that
singing or chanting tone is much less
tiresome than speaking pne-it is besides
very ancient custom, handed down to US
from the services of the temple OF the great
Jehovah himself. Loud speakers are sell
dom heard to advantage, andi those orators
who are heard most distinctly in large as
semblies are those who, in modulatiug the
voice, render it musical. BuHke's voice
had such lofty cry, that it, together with
the formality of his discourses in tAe House
of Commons, usually tended to send the
members to dinner, while Chatham B lowest
whisper was distinctly heard, the tone of
his voice was so sweet, rich and eautifully
varied. 1t is remarkable fact tha2 STAN
merers never fail to pronounce word COR
rectly when singing Cor. of Cam. JoaFnal.
A RHYMsrER IN LMBo.--A poetacal
genius was hauled up before one of Che
police magistrates for kissing a handso tne
girl and kicking up dust-and fhe
following examination took place:
Magistrate.-Is your name John Ray!i
Prisoner.-Yes, your honor; so the people
say.
Mag-Was it you that kissed the girl
and raised the alarm?
Pris.-Yes, your honor, but thought it
was no harm.
Mag-You rascal. did you come here
to make rhymess
:pris.-No, your honor, but it will happen
sometimes.
Mag-Be off, you scamp, get out of
my sight.
Pris.-Thank'ee, your honor, then I'll
bid you good night.