New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-15
4 QUEER SENSE or HUMOR.
sAvAGEs ARE TENTED TO LAUGH ONLY
WHEN SOME ONE IS HURT.
From The Boston Post

From The Boston Post
The laugh which is now closely associated
with good hu,uor md kindly feeling originally
implied nothing Of the sort II expressed almost
the reverse. IL was the crow OF triumph over a
fallen foe.
such is its nature stin arrong savl,cs and
harharOus peoples and It's unexpected marifcs-
tatiOns are occasionally very startling Dane
ing on the body Of a PROSTATE enemy IN 10
them hilarious business. the writing - vic
tim under torture Is the funniest thing imagin-
able: new ieyicc for torment ~ clever jest.
the inncing ~ CHASTITY wound some poor
wretch runs the gantlet makes 'h' yell with
gcc. The things that shock n horrify or dis
gust tn" civilized man about the only things
worth laughing at. from a savise's point Of
view
with the exception. therefore. Of rough prac-
teal jokes which may possibly wrinkle hts
stolid features with "A inorncntiry grin. the bar
barian has no appreciation of civilized hurnor
he can't SEQ where the Fun comes IN II nobody
is hur' This was curiously illustrated not long
ago. when considerable number ~ Cinnamon
went to "A New-York theatre to sec A burlcsgue
performance when the American part ~ the
audience laughed the delegation from china
town sat with faces absolutely blank. but tho
moment any hint 81 brutality. tragedy or tears
appeared the stage. their heavy features
lighted and were wreathcd in smiles II
strange thing TO witness but II was all In per
feet keeping With the cruel instincts of their
race.
Even the knowledge that he is himself to be
the next victim does not sp,i the fun Of cruel
spectacle for barbarian Thoroughbred. Here
Is an instance.
A number Of Siamcsc who had been engaged
in a bloody revolt captured red handed
and sentenced TO military execution. A platoon
Of soldiers was drawn up with loaded muskets.
before whom the doomed men were led out I'm
squads OF five six 10 be shot. while those
who were waiting their turn stood 10y under
guard. looking When the first vOey
fired the victims. torn by the storm Of bullets
capcd into the air with violent contortons and
fell dead. And this, to the poor wrctchcs who
were about 10 so through the same experience,
seemed fine a show and cNcruciatingly
funny that they were fairly convulscd with
laughter.
Such is the humor Of savagcs and such doubt
less. the beginnings Of mirth the world
over. Strange as Ii may seem. there are many
hints OF this barbarous origin in the fun II the
most highly civilized. We no longer laugh at
really tragic occurrences IL Is true, for other
and more humane emotions too strongly eX-
cited. But If we chance to see a ridiculous mis-
hap which does not quite rise TO the dignity OF
tr lgedy-an accident by which some one is
greatly Inconvenience and annoyed without
being seriously injurcd-the remnant of the
savage breaks loose in and laugh I'LL the
tears come Why else amused when
see a Well dressed man thrown SPRAYING in the
mud or delugc1 with dirty water from upper
window or driven up a tree by a cross dog
ugly bull? Instances might be multiplied with
out limit.
1t is noticeable that children often laugh n:
things which do not amusc adults. but on the
contrary. shock and pain them. That IL be
the child's finer scnsbtics are az yet
imperfectly developed he Is still the saw
age stage. There In a very prevalent sentiment
to the contrary but this IS the fact.
In proportion AZ men become truly civilized
however their sense OF hunor becomes refined
and they revolt at any suggestion Of brutality.
Yet it is worthy OF remark that the gentlcst
among us frequently amused at a picture
or a story representing things the actual occur
renee OF which would shock US greatly.