The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1913-06-06
PUzzLINC ECHOES.
The Riddle Of the Gardens of Aux
Rochers In France.
MYSTICAL TRICKS OF SOUND.

formed Into Thousands Of Aisslno
Responses Other Famous Echoes.
Some echoes in their mystic charac-
ter would seem to approach the do
main of psychic phenomena, which are
eliciting so much and such puzzled at
tention. One of these ghostly tricks
Of sound Is to be found in the gardens
OF Aux Rockers in France, which
was once the residence Of Mime. de
Seyigne. The chateau is situated near
the old town OF Wire. A broad gravel
walk on dead level conducts through
the gardens to the house. In the CEN
ter Of this. on particular spot, the
listener is placed at the distance Of
ten or twelve yards from another per-
son, who addresses him in a low and
almost inaudible whisper, when imme-
diately, as from tens OF thousands of
invisible tongues, starting from the
earth beneath, or as IL every pebble
was gifted with powers Of speech, the
words are repeated with a slight hiss
ing sound. not unlike the whirling Of
small shot through the air. On remov-
ing from this spot, however trifing
the distance, the intensity Of the repeti-
ton Is sensibly diminished and within
a few feet ceases to be heard. Under
the impression that the ground beneath
was hollow the soil was recently dug
up to considerable depth, but with
out discovering any clew to, the mys-
terry.
Although the weird echoes Of statu-
kry hall In the capitol at Washington
ave been somewhat subdued since the
structural notifications of the roof,
they still haunt the chamber which
was once the house OF representatives
The capitol guides used to take great
pride in the mysterious echoes, of stat
nary hall, and they deplore their par
tial elimination. It will. be recalled
BY many that there 10 a f1agstone In
the door Of the hall marked by small
black hole about as large as an UNI
brella end, on which, if q person stood
and uttered word, he heard repeti-
tion Of his voice proceeding apparently
from the basement of the building just
below him. An appreciable interval
elapsed between the ufterance Of the
sound and its echo, circumstance
that rendered the effect almost un-
canny. To laugh was to prove q mock
ing rejoinder. and many persons, say
the guides. We're persuaded that trick
was being played on them. The same
effect was noticeable on that part Of
tne MOOR adjacent 70 the nagstone men
toned but the farther away from the
latter tne less distinct became the
echo until, at 9 certain distance, 1T was
not perceptible at all
Some OF the most curious and beau
tiful echoes In the world are to be
heard IN the Luray caverns, which are
only few hours journey from Wash
mgton. Numerous OF the huge stalag-
mites here, When only gently struck,
give forth tones that In some instances
resemble the Ginning OF great, sweet
toned bells or a long melodic note like
that Of church organ A famous vlo-
hnlst is said, when visiting Washington,
TO have Journeyed to Luray In order to
TEST the erect OF the playing OF his In
strument amid the singular acoustic
surroundings. The tones OF the violin
are described as having been wonder
1uliy enhanced both In sweetness and
~ volume
Among the wonderful rock forma-
lions Of the far. west, notably in the
Grand Canyon Of the Colorado, are.said
to lurk many marvellous echoes. The
same is true of the great Niagara
gorge, and, though few are aware of
the fact, 1t Is said that any one jour
heying to the falls and taking in the
gorge a superb piece of natural seen
cry in itself-wi1 be well rewarded
BY stopping at Inspiration Point, walk
ing forward to the edge of the cEff
and here waiting until the first train,
on nearing the level crossing. blows
its whistle. The sound is caught~up by
multitudinous echoes until one would