The Kansas herald of freedom., 1859-08-27
NUMBER 6--vOLUME 5.
Country Stiffness.

Nothing marks the change from the
city to the country so much as the alb
sence Of grinding noises. The country
is never silent But its sounds are sepa-
rate, distinct, and, as it were, articulate.
The grinding of wheels in paved streets.
the clash and din of half million men,
mingling, form grand body Of sound,
which, however harsh and dissonant to
those near by, becomes at little distance
softened, round, and almost musical
Thus, from Brooklyn Heights, New York
sounds its diapason. past 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 NOV
ing gently in forests.
But it is not simply sound that acts upon
us. There is a jar, an incessant tremor,
that affects one more or less according to
the state of his nerves. And, in leaving
the city by rail cars, the roar aud jar Of
the train answers good purpose in keep
ing up the sense Of the city, until you
reach your destination. Once removed
from all these ound-making agencies,
and 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 cawing of q
crow, the roll Of chance wagon, and the
patter of horses feet-these, 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 soothes. Dur
ing the Weakening hours the very stiffness
plays upon your imagination with impor-
tuuity. You feel how still it is. You
murmur to yourself, "0h, how quiet! how
tranquil !' On a side-hill, with wido
look out, upon rock, or under its shade,
you lie for the hour stupid in the bath of
stiffness. The wings of birds that hy past
you are audible. A leaf falling on leaf
reports itself. The squeak of field mice,
in their petty synods, the frolic and bark
os squirrels, become very prominent
sounds. 8 salt l3r
cannot say that such scenes are favor
able to thought. II is fancy that moves
quickest then. 1t is a nourishing OF the
sentiments and feelings The past aud
the future play together, and memory and
expectation pitch sweet fancies to each
other. r.
We said that country silence was also
soothing. Let the frst nights sleep bear
witness! In the first place, mems habits
right themselves We dine at noon, not
at sundown. We take tea in the broad
light of the sun. And. by uine 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 il they did not
know how to swing and quivcr. The
cricket is singing. A whippoorwill stirs
up fond remembrances. Some super
serviceable dog lets off bark, as ii he
had pulled the trigger by accident, then
shuts his muzzle, and leaves the great
round heaven almost empty OF sound
All, these long country nights, full oil
unwakening sleepl
To find yourself in the morning just
where you laid down! To sleep without
a wink, roll, or the slightest change,
eight hours, that is to get back far towards
boyhood again!-H W. Beecher, Independ-