The Washington herald., 1908-07-05
FROM WOMANS
POINT OF VIEW,

II women clearly realized the lmpor-
tance Of a pleasing voice singing and elo-
cution would be vastly more popular than
at present. There would BE- hosts NJ uao-
pie taking courses for the cultivation
Of the speaking voice. and regardless Of
tho lack Of musical ability. Il is not
given 20 every woman 10 sing Ike q
bird. but there is no woman who need be
afflicted with an unpleasant speaking
voice, provided she has the money 20 buy
cultivation,
used 10 ride on car patronized by q
pretty woman whose charm entirely dis
appeared when she opened her mouth for
speech. She talked more than the average
woman. and her tones were loud ar
gressive, and irritating. She never bv
any chance. said a thing worth hearing.
yet / Was forced 10 hear every word be-
cause nothing drowned her voice. think
her masculine acquaintainces were as dis
tresscd as myself, for they usually tried
70 avoid her. II vas a pity to mar at
racuveness with a blight like that voice
The children Of a neighbor Of mine. a
boy and girl. are afflicted with deep.
rough. but penetrating voices. whose
source cannot be discovered. The mother
IS gentle IN speech and manner and we'll
bred, ana the father IS Il rather silent
man. without an Objectionable trait And
there nre the children with thoso awful
voices which keep one from discovering
whatever refinement may ACCOMPANY
them. There IS no lack Of money In tho
family. but there is not the slightest sign
o. any being spent in much-needed voice
culture. simply because neither child has
marked musical ability.
A cultivated voice is a delight 10 the
ear. You can generally distinguish singers
In any group by the purity Of tone and
clear enunciation. Highly educated per
sons have something Of this beautiful
quality OF voice, but varying IN degree.
Possibly the habit OF attempting con-
ve ,sat!on IN trolley and steam cars. and.
what is even worse. in subways. has done
MUCK 20 eoarsen the human voice One
has 10 shout and strain the vocal chords
70 be heard above the din, but women
seem to prefer that 70 silence
The Importance Of pleasant tones is rec
ognizcd in the public schools TO the point
n spending handsome yearly sums I'm Sc
curing the services Of singing teachers
who know more than the rudlments Of
music. They have 20 be grounded in
voice culture as well, ana as a result the
singing IN even tho lowest grades of
schools IS melodious and very pleasing.
know mothers who frequently remind
heir children that there is no deafness
n the family. consequently no occasion
'or shouting whatever they have 10 say.
This check bears good fruit. and the next
VIII have had the benefit Of
raining, whatever faults they may ac-
luire later on.
The plainest girl in a room may hold her
'wn with beauty II she is blessed with a
pleasing voice. 1t has an irresistible
harm. as l have had occasion TO point |
'ut before. do not believe you have all /
orgotten the story Of a romance which |
aised an obscure and plain girl 10 the
nvied position OF wife 10 a multl-million- |
ire. He had evaded all kinds of matri- /
nonial traps FOR years. but was of guard I
when ne met this girl OF a single gift
Ie heard he: read from one O: his IA /
orite books, and his fate was sealed. |
hose not in the secret only wondered 1
What he saw 70 attract him to so COM
nonplace a girl. but time has proved the /
trength OF her charm.
BETTY BRADEEN.