A MARVELLOUS VOICE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 826, 30 December 1887, Page 1

A MARVELLOUS VOICE.

Most people who have been to the “ Wild West ” Show at Earl’s Court must have been struck by the enormous vocal power displayed by Me Frank Richmond, the “ Orator,” who explains the action of the realistic drama so vividly presented by Buffelo Bill’s cowboys and redskins. The voice of this modern Stentor is a physiological curiosity in its way, for he has

often made himself distinctly heard by an audieuce of 30,000 persons in the open air. This throws Mr Gladstone’s famous “ record ” at Blackheath in 1874 altogether into the shade. Softie idea of the vast amount of work which the “ Orator” gets out of his vocal orgaus may be formed from the fact that his running commentary on the show contains more words than the part of Hamlet, which, as is well known, taxes the powers of the best trained actors: Thia severe effort the “Orator” makes —and makes successfully—Hyice a day for months together, under much less favorable ac&ustic conditions than players even in the largest theatres. A' few physical details respecting such a vocal athlete may, therefore, he interesting to some of our readers. For these we are indented to the courtesy o£Dx Robert C. Myles, of Hew York, whose examination, it may be added, was confirmed by Sir Morell Mackenzie. The vocal cords are of ordinary length, and not much above the average in breadth, but the vocal processes at once strike the observer by their extraordinary dev#iopfnent. They project inward toward- the middle line like two large when the glottis ia open. The great leverage thus given to the laryngeal muscles allows > them to act to the best advantage with a mifsTmum of effort. The larynx itself is of a large size, and the pharynx is exceptionally roomy and well developed, 'Whilst the mucous membrane covering it is remarkably free from granulations and youghtiess of any kind. The “ Orator’s ” vital capacity ia not above the ordinary standard, but what breath power he has he utilises to the utmost with the art of a trained elocutionist. Mr Richmond, we believe, on the stage before he occupied his present position, and the secret of his remarkable delivery lies more in the perfection with which he has learned to use his natural advantages than iu any notable peculiarity of physical conformation.

The present warm weather is having the effect of rapidly ripening the erops (says the Wairarapa Daily), and altogether an early may be anticipated, the sowingß in most instances having been made in good time. There is expected to be an especially heavy yield on the lighter lands, but on the.. more retentive soils the wet will, to a certain extent, have affected the result. A good deal of smut ha 3 been noticed in wheat this year. It may here be -mentioned that the area in wheat in the Wairarapa this year is greater than it has ever been before, and the district will probably soon be able to supply all its own requirements in this direction. One field of wheat on the Aknra is especially noticeable, as notwithstanding the fact that the land has been cropped for ten successive years, and without manuring, there is a ''"splendid yield. This speaks well for the fertility of the soil. Altogether the prospects of farmers <h» season are far from bad, ahd they will have less reason than ever for the proverbial growl.