Telegram-herald. ([Grand Rapids, Mich.) 18??-1892, 1891-06-08

the end of the present century will see
the end of n number OF things which we
have been wont to consider everlasting.
And the book stands are full Of new ro-
nances, the scenes of which arc placed
a hundred or rore years ahead of the
present era, portraying social and eco
nomical conditions Of moro or less ex-
traordinary character.
But, after all, the interesting thing in
the world is man. What changes are
going TO take place in him? We will
conclude that his circumstances are
bound to improve; but will he himself ex-
pand and improve CORRESPONDENCE? Our
own present circumstances, for exam
pie, are certainly superior to those of
the Elizabethan era, and yet none Of
our authors (save, perhaps, In the Sc
cret conviction of his or her own heart)
Is equal or superior to Shakespeare. OF
course. we may become moro moral,
with the lapse of temptation to immor-
atty; bat that Is negative virtuc. Are
we to become, In any respect, different?
Arc qualities or powers to be added to
us whereof we know nothing?
This aspect of tho matter has been
but little attended to. 1t Is not easy to
imagine variations in humanity as in
things; and yet the latter, alone, would
be of comparatively small account. But
the author OF story now publishing
has entered this neglected field, and the
idea he Is developing promises well.
''Thc Master of Silence" is the title of
his tale, and it seems to be engaged
with the question of the manner in
which the men of the future are 20 COM
municate with one another. Il is not
possible, Of course, TO foretell at this
stage what solution tho author has in
mind. But tho casual critic may for
that very reason the more freely indulge
his own conjectures.
And certainly, when ono comes TO
think OF it, audible speech seems q
somewhat clumsy device for making
known ones thoughts. It is laborious,
redundant and artificial. There is no
vital correspondence between the cnun-
Citations Of speech and the thoughts of
the mind. Vowel sounds may, indeed.
be regarded in a measure as spontanc-
Gus and natural; animals use them and
they express emotion. Properly gradu-
ated, they are the substance of vocal
music. aud they are doubtless capable
of indefinitely finer gradations than we
have as yet found it worth while TO
give them Bat the introduction Of
consonants renders speech, as such, in
corriSibly superficial and mechanical.
1t is violent and arbitrary expedient
and opens the way to hypocrisy and
falsehood. For, words being definite
and invariab'c signs. which arc retained
by the memory and arc avsilable at
will, any man can say anything he
chooses. without the least relation to
what may be actually In his mind. His
bearer, on the other hand, being by
tradition and habit accustomed TO asso-
ciate these word SQUADS with certain
ideas and figures. receives impressions
which are not only as likely az not to
DO alien 20 what Is in the speakers
mind. but are even certain tn be an in
complete and inaccurate version there
Of; since IL il actually impossible for
anybody with the best win ii the
world. 20 convey by word or utterance
an exact picture of his mental concep-
ton. Words. 70 whatever csten. null
tipliel and refaed, inevitably lead
around the point rather than to it:
~hen ell has been said that can be
aid. the vital essence has ~ be sur
uised-it has not been expressed. And.
rs matter Of fact. il we examine
clseiy what happens Ia conversation.
we shall find thss we form our impress
sions 81 what people are. no. from whss
they say, bat rather IRON their manner
q saving it-frorn their expression.
their iutcnasioD. their rate and rhythm
OF utterance. their gestures. the aspect
Of their eountenance. and most of all.
perhaps. from what they do not say.
Toe conventional forms ard eorn-li-
rnerts Of Erssting and talk which two
reapie 60 tssroagh with GA first meet
ing. in order - avoid the awissvarines.
Of silence. ere for tho most part
uttered uuoocscio-siv ami are rc4
listened D. nevertheless. something Is
spino on between fha inss~sn--,so~-e
they arr forming opinions about one
another, and those opinions are based
mon indications OF l~et~xzsis which sre
tersrersrseutsl ard Involuntary. Each
party 10 The dialogue irnaziaes that II is
hts words and not himself that is heinz
attended 20: he savs what be wishes 20
have believed. and al she while The
other Ss peresf-ine ard believing qnite
another matter. and although his jod1-
merit nasy e> s<frsy. n l. ne~rrtheless
different from ~hss he frst intend< snsl
sapposes ~ - b. Hene- srise se~1srd
Misunderstanding. snd cross puxpose~