The daily gazette., 1877-09-29
SECOND EDITION !,
The TELEPHoNE CONCERT.

h The attendanee at the Opera House
last evening, to listen to the telephone
concert was very small, there not being
ahundred persons present
The concert was an unusually fine one
and deserved large attendance, as it
was not only an intrnetive entertainment
but fine musical treat. The sounds
were at times somewhat indistinct, while
at others they were too heavy, and spoilt
the even line. But these imperfections
were excuseable, as the gentleman who
had charge of the apparatus explained
that it was not perfect yet, but was much
improved over what 1t was two months
age, ,and he hoped that two months hence
it would still be better o1tf
The apparatus looked at from dis
tance appears to be very simple! AT this
end of the wire it consisted, of q plain
table upon which was placed what the
lecturer termed stretched nitre drum
head" At the other end there was a
transmitting brass tube about 6x2t inches,
When the receiver Is ready he signals the
singers wherever they may be stationed
| by means of telegraph. When the sing
| er takes hold of the tube and placing it
song they wish to render, and it is repro
duoed by means of the sounding board on
the tube here. -.Y. esq.,. ,.-l a.n. .i. r4
| a The concert last evening opened with
| a short explanation of the telephone by
] Mr.. rE, 81. Johnson, electrician, who had
I charge of the instrument. He then sig
nailed to the singers in Philadelphia, who
were stationed in the Western Union
1 telegraph office, corner Of Tenth and
Chestnut streets. In few minutes he
announced that Mr.. William A. Briscoe,
| the accomplished tenor of St. Stephens
church would render the "Sweet BY and
By" In a few moments the distinct
sounds were heard in every part OF, the
ball, and at the conclusion the success
was greeted with unbounded applause.
Next on the programme was a cornet
solo "Killarney," by Mr.. William North
colt, which was beautifully rendered, the
sounds being very distinct and plain
Other familiar songs such as "The Stal
Spangled Banner" HHome Sweet Home
and "Yakee Doodle" were gwen witt
equal success. During the. performance
Mr.. johnson requested some one In the
audience to name some piece, when some
one called for the "Swanee River."' A
despatch was sent to the singer and in ;
few seconds the tune was rendered mos
beautifully. The concert as far as the
J working of the instrument was concern
ed, was grand success. r..- ....
, Mr.. johnson made his explanations IL
, so agreeable manner as to avoid th'
tediousness which would otherwise max,
, the entertainment prove unpleasant
J He stated that Mr.. Edison had alread!
received one hundred and twenty-nin'
: patents for his inventions and improve
ments, and had sixty-two caveats now OF
D file in the Patent Office at Washington
q He was now engaged on q machine il
front of which a word could be spokeI
i and the word would be recorded and thel
D transmitted through another machin
: and reproduced just as it was uttered
And this machine when completed woulC
y record speech of any length, which an.
time thereafter could be reproduce
with all the vigor and the same empha
q sis with which it was made, although tn
author of it might be dead for years
= That this machine had been so far com
, pleted by MIR. Edison as to record an,
|. reproduce one word, and that was suti
u cient to make it certain that all else tina
! is now expected of it could be accom-
/ plished. He mentioned other Invention
:. by Mr.. Edison that were very wonderful
e and said he was yet only 81 years Of age
sl The audience were well entertained an
T. highly delighted both with the concei
and lecture. -.q.s- .f-