Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1857-02-27
e. FRANKLIN COUNTY, INDIANA FRIDAY FEBRUARY o. 1857



Absus Noises.
"well, my lads, SO you have all como
back TO school again, and are not unwilling
to resume your talks with tho old Doctor.
l missed you very much while you were
away. 1t brings back the days Of my own
youth TO have you around me. But soc
some new faces among you; let me hope
we shall soon be better acquainted"
Such was the welcome Of old DR.. WISE
man to a number Of lads just returned to
school after the holidays, who were allow
cd by their teacher to spend one evening
week at the doctors house, on which oc-
casion hc was In the habit Of holding plea
SAINT conversations with them on scientific
subjects. They were as happy and bright
aset Of boys as you could anywhere sec.
Not little had the good doctors stalks"
as he called them, done TO awaken in their
minds desire TO look beneath the surface
Of things. There was great variety in
their characters, Of course--some were
quick, some slow; some industrious, some
inclined to be idle; some fond Of outdoor
sports, some delighted to pore over books.
Blu. they all agreed In one thing, that II
was very pleasant to spend these evenings
with tho old doctor.
"The subject on which we will talk this
evening" said tho doctor, ''is ono that
must be interesting to boys; for II is what
they are constantly engaged In producing.
That is "noise." 'Noises" may bo look
cd upon as boisterous. unruly, ugly fellows
and Sounds as their gentle, orderly beau
tiful sisters. Now there Is science which
embraces tho concerns Of this large fami.
ly. Can any Of you toll what Is the name
Of it?"
II know, sir" said John Smart who
was studying natural philosophy, ut Is
called acoustics"
"Quite right" said the doctor; "and n ow
let classic scholar tell mo why II Is 50
called?"
sFrom the Greek verb akouo, 10 hear, d
II not?" said William Elder.
Eyes" said tho doctor. "the science ol
acoustics treats Of tho origin, propagation,
and effects of sound. Now, boys. want
to set you thinking. II deaf man were
to fro cannon In the midst Of desert
whore no living creature was within hear.
ing, would II mako any noise?'
"Of course II would, and pretty loud
one, too" said several; but some Of tn,
older ones, who knew the doctor we'll
were silent, and reflected. though they
thought that wherever cannon was fired
IL must make noise.
"Ah, my lads" said the doctor, "yor
arc not the only ones that would give th.
same answer. But lot us reason out th,
matter. Hero is the air-pump. / sus
pond bell under the receiver, and by thil
handle IL can be rung from the outside.
set down the receiver on tho pump-plate
now ring tho bell; docs Il mako noise?'
"Yes" said they all.
"Now, then. Charley, pump out tho air.
The boy set TO work, and whom the docto
saw that the air was sufficiently exhaust
cd, ho told him to stop, and directed an
other TO ring the bell. but there was NJ
sound. Another triod it--thoy all triot
Iit--still tho same result.
II know how II is," said Henry Hasty
ut docs not sound because there is no air
When tho air was there inside, We heart
the sound, now tho dir Is gone. there Is NJ
sound, so the reason must DO because III,
air Is not there. Butyou know. sir. ther,
is air In the desert; therc must be, or th'
deaf man could not breathe"
Every good" said the::doctor, "you hav,
reasoned In part very we'll, but you are go
ing little too fast Let us pauseIa mo
mont and 500 what we have learnt. II 4
this. that without mir 10 bring the sount
10 thosear, there Is no sound. That Is h
say, q bell can be rung aud yet make NJ
noise. This will prepare your minds 70
tho next stop in our investigation. Blu
this Is only particular case; wo must, bo
foro we proceed, try and get the genera
truth.
The doctor then took long pole from
the corner Of the room, and scratched vo
ry gently on ono end Of II with pin.-
They all listened, but no ono could hear !,
"Now," said the doctor, 'let each boy 4
turn take up tho other end Of the pole an,
put 1t to his ear" They did so. and eacl
heard the noise distinctly.
IL think can explain this, "said John
"the pole conveys tho sound better tha
the air, so that when we put II to our ca
We hear the noise which was inaudible be
fore.
"Right," said the old man;,.' 'now wo ca
state our general truth--therc is no nois
without medium, such as..air, or the polk
or water, etc., to bring tho sound to tn
ear Now, my lads, iftherc is.no SCUM
and you observe that there was absc
lutely no sound, when tho bell was rnn
under the exhausted rcccver--if thcro
no sound unless thorc Is soniferous Q
sound-convcying medium TO bring It I
tho cor. where would the sound bc il the,
was no earf Now think over that."--
Sclooysllos0.
RIGHT TO THE LErTER.-Judge R.
Of this State, was some years since engae