The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1901-03-22
SIGHT OR HEARING?
IF YOU HAD TO LOSE EITHER, WHICH
WOULD YOU RETAINf

The Deep Pathos of Beethoven'a
Great Affection - How the Great
Composer Came to Be Deaf-A Few
Remarks About the Ear.
Which would you rather be-deaf or
blind? Here is a subject for debate by
clubs or by the widespread debating So
cieties known as "breakfast tables"
1t seems to US curious that there should
be any doubt concerning the question
propounded. But investigation shows
that such doubt does exist.
Many a man will tell you that he would
rather be blind and hear what is said
around him than lose his hearing and
continue to see.
Presumably the choice would depend
on the mental make up of the person
choosing.
The man accustomed to look inside Of
his own mind for resources and for inter-
est would, we should say, not find deaf
ness q hopeless curse.
The deaf man with sight can read and
compel the greatest mind of every age
to talk to him.
He can concentrate his thoughts at all
times and in all places, for there is none
Of the worlds distracting racket to d.
vert him.
The blind man Is shut out from the
beauties of nature, and, greatest loss Of
all, he Is unable to study the wonders Of
the universe as spread out in the heavens
at night. He finds himself limited to his
night. He finds himself limited to his
own thoughts and to the idle talk of
those around him.
Is there not in the marvels of one SUM-
set more inspiration than in all the talk
Of a hundred men?
Is there not in the study of a young
child's face more to be learned than in
much empty conversation?
The greatest curse of deafness is that
Il shuts US out from the wonderful in
SEPARATION of music. But we consider this
loss more easily borne than inability to
improve the mind with study of the
visible universe.
Talk this subject over with your
friends. You will find 1t better worth dis
cussing than the chances of rain or snow,
or other Of life's trivialities.
The power Of the human mind Is
shown most wildly in the accomplish
ments of great men whose genius has sur
ness or blindness.
Homer was blind, Beethoven was
stone deaf.
Milton was blind when he wrote para
disc Lost" What could physical sight
have added to his marvellous mental
vision?
OF himself he says, "Wisdom at one
entrance, quite shut out" But the Attic
ton which would utterly destroy medi-
ocrity adds fire and purpose to Millions
genius:
30 much the rather. thou celestial light. shine
And the mind. through all its powers, irradiate.
There plant eyes that may see and tell
OF things invisible to mortal sight
All history Of pathos since the world
began fails to match the story Of Bee
thoven's affection. One of the three
greatest beings born on earth, he was fat
ed never to hear except within his brain,
and through his inward sense Of har-
mony, the greatest works of his genius.
For earth's greatest picture of pathoss
study this scene.
Beethoven's genius had eliminated In
the production of his two greatest works.
A magnificent ovation was prepared for
the master who has given such happiness
to the mind.
A vast assemblage was gathered to-
gether. Beethoven, the deaf genius, was
to conduct.
The moving baton in his hands does not
guide the musicians. His noble forehead
is wrinkled deeply. his gaze fixed on the
leading violinist before him. The "lead-
er" hears not a sound of his own mar
yelous music, and he ''leads" by watch
ing the bowling of the violinist who in
terprets his work.
Applause shakes the building. The
thousands Of spectators stand in their
seats, waving their arms. shouting, cheer
ing. Not a sound is heard by the author
Of all the excitement. He looks straight
ahead, unconscious that frantic admira-
ton has drowned the sound Of the music.
A woman advances, turns Beethoven gen.
tly round, that his eyes may behold the
tribute Of admiration to his genius.
He beholds thousands Of men and wom-
en- in tears, called forth by sympathy for
his affection.
Let that scene move your sympathy,
but let 1t also save you from possible af-
Fiction.
One piece Of carelessness made Bee
thcven deaf and filed his life with sor-
row.
AFTER Violent exercise ne sat VIII LIS
ear near an open window. Cold and in
hammation resulted, and he was soon
hopelessly deaf.
Bear in mind that similar danger threat
ems all of us at oil times under similar
conditions.
You may see some foolish young man
racing to catch his ferryboat.
He catches It and stands in a cold wind
on the front deck. His coat collar Is
turned up, and he thinks he is safe from
cold. But his ears are wide open, and
the icy draft strikes full upon the deli
cate membrane Of the drum.
He thinks he is safe from cold in his
ears as from cold in his hair. He is
foolish.
We ask you to remember that after
hard exercise your weakest spot is the in
side Of your ear.
1t is good thing to get fresh air. But
II you are warm from running or from
sitting In a hot Office keep your hands
over your ears for a few minutes. Let
yourself cool off before exposing the ear
passages to sudden cold.-New York
Journal