The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1898-10-21

The Writings OF n victim shuer
Torture Send Them Into Frenzy
of Northumberland Punt hments
That Evoke YeIIs of Glee.
The laugh, which is now so closely
associated with good humor and kindly
feeling, originally implied nothing OF
the sort. 1t expressed almost the reverse
1t was the crow of triumph over fallen
foe.
Such is it's nature still among savases
and barbarous peoples, and its unexpect-
ed manifestations are occasionally very
startling. Dancing on the body OF
PROSTATE enemy is to them hilarious
business The writhing of IA victim un-
der torture is the funniest thing lmagl-
nahle. \ new device for torment is a
clever jest. The inficting of CHASTITY
wound as some poor wretch runs the
gantlet makes them yell with glee. The
things that shock or horrify or disgust
the civilized man are about ths only
things worth laughing at from saw
ages point of view.
With the exception, therefore, OF
rough practical jokes, which may posi-
bly, wrinkle his stolid features with a
momentary grin, the barbarian has no
appreciation of civilized humor. He
can't see where the fun comes III II no.
body is hurt.
This was curiously illustrated not long
ago when considerable number OF
Cinnamon went to New York theater
to see q burlesque performance. When
the American part of the audience
laughed, the delegation from Chinatown
sat with faces absolutely blank, but the
moment any hint of brutality, tragedy
or tears appeared on the stage their
heavy features lighted and were wreath
ed III smiles. 1t was u strange thing TO
witness, but it was all i'll perfect keep
ing with the cruel instincts of their
race.
Even the knowledge that Re is him
self to be the next victim does not spoil
the fun Of cruel spectacle for bar
barian thoroughbred. Here is an in
stance:
A number of Siamese who had been
engaged in bloody revolt vera cap
tured red handed and sentenced to mill
tary execution. A platoon OF soldiers
was drawn up with loaded muskets, be-
| fore whom the doomed men We're led
out in squads of five or six to be shot,
| while those who were waiting their
turn stood by, under guard, looking on
When the first volley was fired, the
victims torn by the storm of bullets,
| leaped into the air with violent contor-
| tions and fell dead. And this TO the
| poor wretches who We're about to go
| through the same experience seemed so
| fine show and so overwhelmingly funny
| that they were fairly convulsed with
laughter.
Such is the humor of savages, and
| such doubtless We're the beginnings OF
| mirth the world over. Strange as 1t
may seem, there are many hints OF this
barbarous origin III the fun of the most
highly civilized. We no longer laugh
at really tragic occurrences, it is true,
for other and more humane emotions
are too strongly excited.
But if we chance to see ridiculous
mishap which does not quite rise to the
dignity of tragedy-an accident by
which some one is greatly Inconvenience
ed and annoyed without being seriously
injured-the remnant of the savage
breaks loose in us, and we laugh till the
tears come.
| Why else are we amused when we
see well dressed man thrown sprawl
ing in the mud or deluged with dirty
water from an upper window or driver
un tree by a cross dog or an ugly bull
! i.v else do we so keenly enjoy the
agony of man who has accidentally
pounded his finger nail, instead OF thu
tack he was driving into the carpet, o.
laugh at the unfortunate who blindly
steps on d stray barrel hoop which tlip'
up and slaps him in the face: Instances
might be multiplied without limit.
1t is noticeable that children Otter
laugh at things which do not amusu
pain them. That is because the child!
finer sensibilities are as yet imperfect!
| developed He is still near the savage
state. There is very prevalent senti
ment to the contrary, but this is thu
! fact.
In proportion as men become trul.
civilized however, their sense of hume
beco:aes refined, and they revolt at an.
suggestion of brutality. Yet it is worth.
of remark that the geptlest among II
are frequently amused at a picture or
story representing things the actual oc
currence of which would shock us great
ly.-Boston Post.