Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1859-08-26
GrIrttco Alistrllanp.

Beecher on the quiet of the Country
Nothing marks the change from th,
city to the country so much as the alb
sence of grinding noises. The country
is never silent But its sounds are sep
arate, distinct, and, as it were, articulate
The grinding of wheels in paved streets
the clash and din of half million mel
mingling, form grand body of sound
which, however harsh and dissonant tC
those near by, comes at little distance
softened, round and almost musical. -
Thus from Brooklyn Heights, New York
sounds its dapason, vast and almost end
less. The direction of the wind greatly
influences the sound When the air is
moist, and the wind west, the city sends
roar across like the incessant break OF
surf upon the ocean shore. But with
an eastern wind the murmur is scarcely
greater, and almost as soft, as winds
moving gently in forests.
But it is not simply sound that acts
upon u.s. There is jar, an incessant
tremor, that affects one more or less, ac-
cording to the state of his nerves. And
in leaving the city by rail cars, the jar
of the train answers good purpose in
keeping up the sense of the city, until
you reach your destination. Once re-
moved from ali these sound making
agencies, one is conscious of an almost
new atmosphere. Single sounds come
through the air as arrows fly, but do not
fill it. The growing of cock, the cav
ing Of a crow, the roll of a chance wa
gon, and the patter of horses feet--thcse
one by one rise into the air to stir it, and
sink back again, leaving it without a
ripple. For time this both excites and
soothcs. During the Weakening hours
the very stiffness plays upon your ina
gination with importantly. You feel
how still it is. You murmur to yourself,
"Oh, how quiet, how tranquilp On a
side hill, with a wide lookout, upon a
rock, or under its shade, you lie for the
hour stupid in the bath of stiffness. The
wings of birds that fly by you are audi
BILE. A leaf falling on leaf reports it.
self. The squeak of field mice in their
petty synods, the frolic and bark of
squirrels, become very prominent sounds.
| cannot say that such scenes are ia
vorable to thought 1t is fancy that
moves quickest then 1t is nourishing
of the sentiments and feelings. The
past and the future play together, and
memory and expectation pitch sweet fan
cies to each other.
We said that country silence was also
soothing. Let the few first nights sleep
bear witnessl In the first place, mems
habits right themselves. We dine at
noon, not at shutdown. We take tea in
the broad light of the sun. And, by
nine o'clock, the evening has become
very late, and we nod and yawn. and
drop off to bed. You look out first to
see if all is right. The moon has it all
her own way up there. There is not a
breath Of wind. The leaves hold as still
as if they did not know how to sing and
culver. The cricket is singing Whip
poor-will stirs up fond remembrances.-
Some superserviceable dog lets a bark, as
if he had pulled the trigger by accident,
then shuts his muzzle, and leaves the
great round heavens almost empty of a
sound. All, those long country nights,
full of awakening sleep.
TO find yourself in the morning just
where you lay down TO sleep without
a wink, roll, or the slightest change,
eight hours, that is to get back far to-
ward boyhood again