Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1892-01-20
THE HUMAN VOICE.
How 1t Indicates Character and Shows
Rising Temper.


How 1t Indicates Character and Shows
Rising Temper.
Besides the potent and spiritual effect
of voices, they have real and practical
value as an index of character. The
very phrase, "a Babel of voices" rec
ognizes that individuals have each their
own way of speaking, as widely differ
ent as if they used foreign tongues
Grave voices are considered to belong
of necessity to men of gravity and in
telligence, while flute-lke sounds an
nounce frivolity of temperament
Harsh voices indicate temper. These
definitions are somewhat overwide, and
require themselves defining
grave voice may just as often mean
bad temper as intelligence, and it is by
the tone rather than the kind of voice
that passion or emotion is betrayed A
man of very clear intelligence has nat
urally distinct mode of utterance, but
If he should happen to be ruffled the
tone will sharpen at the time the voice
is used Noveiists call this rise of tone
"a clear and cutting enunciation," but
they consider ii sign of anger with
every person, whereas it chiefly belongs
to those who are intelligent by nature,
nor does it depend on the amount of
education or refinement they may pos
seSS
curious little grittiness in the gen.
eral suavity of voice will warn the
listener that storms of temper have
often swept those vocal chords. The
really harsh voice requires no further
notice, as, indeed, it speaks for itself.
Flutelike tones are exceedingly rare
and belong properly to a happy dispo-
sition, including mental powers rather
above the average, with a character at
once gentle, cheerfal sociable, and
faithful. But on account of their rarity
and beauty the limitations are nuner-
Gus. For there is sort of passion
among the average specimens, of HUI
mainly to initiate something better
than itself and thereby to claim distinc-
ton.
1t therefore delights in speaking in
reedy tones as futelike as can be man
aged by dire endeavor, especially where
idleness gives the time and oppor-
tunity for display. There is very Pc
culiar ring in these limitations, which
suggests that if they were submitted to
scientific tests the wave motions would
be found to go all awry, and that no
flowers but ill-grown weeds, not curves
but ragged edges would be formed.
On the other hand, some voices might
be described as empty as they have
neither volume of sound nor expression.
An inveterate obstinacy of character is
hidden under this harmless defect
A modern variety not altogether I'M
common among girls is loud and very
higa voice with sudden low tones in it
that mix as if melted into one, which is
exceedingly characteristic, indicating
genuine shallowness of character,
together with recklessness and ambi.
ton. 1t appears ia be caused by the
conflicting interests of the speaker, as
these qualities can not live in the same
person without in;ernecine struggle
This kind may be described in Shaks-
pears words as being without any
mitigation or remorse of voice
A woman's voice being of high
register, has properly native .eadencx
70 eoftpass and sMesIRess thohgh-.it
tAllst be added-also to shriilgess. The
ideal feminine voice Is
Ever soft ana low
An excellent thing in woman
Her voice should DE distinct and clear
two qualities indispensable to the per-
feet form Like the voice of Miltoua
lngse. Ess In Adam. "a.
- charming left HIS voice that he awhile
Thought him still speaking
& should lave the specially musical
tone that belongs to the purest perfeo-
ton, and gives an extreme sweetness
snd the sort of vitality that al music
possesses Of dlyine right. 4 clear tol6
tsFfjes the sound further With Isaa