Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1933-01-09
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.

listening to some voice, actually under
standing what the voice is saying, and
yet, at one and the same time, going
right ahead with his reading. 1t L
something like trying to read and lister
to the radio at the same time; neither
end Is achieved very well.
Such an instance illustrates how me-
chanical reading may become, even ir
the best hands. 1t is possible to read q
book while at the same time the reader
thinks over the facets of q personal
problem, and even solves 1t. Every one
has done it. The best book in the world
the most exciting, will not drive worry
away, II the worry is keen enough.
To be read to, on the other hand
after the novelty Of 1t has worn of,
makes demand upon the mind which
is different from that made when one
reads alone, the book before one.
This only, Of course, II the listener
takes the reading in a sane, serious
mood, no matter how diverting, light or
pleasant the story or other matter
may be.
In one ear and out the other" is
easy enough.
In fact, one may go to sleep, and no
doubt some do, in similar situations.
Really to listen, in order to compre-
bend, Is another thing
1t calls for concentration of the best
sort, which is bound to be Somewhat
wearisome, especially when one is not
used to it.
Any one who reads to a sick person.
or convalescent, should begin gradually
and rather read for too short a period
than too long.
This will be particularly the case II
hos ,@@
hearing the reading voice.
AS to just how one shall read IN
what tone Of voice, and so on. that Is a
matter for the two individuals to de-
eide. Or perhaps, what is more likely
they must read as they can, and accept
the reading as it comes, without much
choice in the matter.
Some. persons naturally assume a
stately tone, in reading to others; it is
almost always possible to tell. even
when persons are hidden. where con-
Versat1on ceases and reading begins.
merely by the change in the tone of
voice =
Usually reading brings about a sort
Of monotone. or level of voice. which
is disconcerting to some persons and
intriguing to others.
Many persons criticize the radio ad-
dress delivered In this way. but the
TACT Is that the monologue tone of voice
Is more pleasing to many persons than
the "elocution" which ATTEMPTS to
range through the entire gamut of the
human voice.
Such gymnastics may be in order on
the stage, or even on the radio (al-
though heaven save us, one and all.
from the vocal histrionics of the ay-
erage radio play'), but they become
entirely depressing in the quiet hour.
Their effect on the sick surely would
be anything but beneficial, even in the
reading of the pleasant novels of Jane
Austen, wherein nothing more exciting
than a slight fall down an embank9
ment ever takes place.
"A pleasant, rather monotonous. tone
OF voice, perhaps would be the best for
Sucn reading. 1t would allow the lis
tener to grasp, without side Thoughts.
the entire irony of the writer. who was
said by eminent critics to have been
the only woman in the history of the
world who ever had such gift,
NO patient at all able to listen to
reading could help but be diverted by
the history Of that lovable valetudina-
rian, Mr.. Woodhouse, In Miss Austen's
Emma" Here is the best story In the
world to read at such time If one
has somehow managed 10 have saved it
through the years for Just such an
emergency, his illness may be count
ed fortune to him, at least in. a
reading sense.