MAN’S DELIGHT IN NOISE.

Western Star, Issue 1077, 30 October 1886, Page 1 (Supplement)

MAN’S DELIGHT IN NOISE.

He gives evidence of his taste for noise at birth.. Ho comes crying into the world, and when he acquires strength ‘■he drums on the table with his spoon ” in those rare intervals when he ceases equalling. Boys have a secret love of thunder, even when they dread it; . and what other passion can equal that of a boy for pounding on an empty can ? In him is exemplified human fondness for noise; He whistles shrilly, he screams, ho imitates the crys of birds and animals, he produces ear-splitting sounds, with many varieties of toys and instruments. His drum is a panacea for all the woes that befal him. Everything we hear is noise.

Observe how he takes pleasure in music, which is simply harmonious noise. The origin of concerts and dreadful customs may be traced to this desire to listen to noise, Min has been defined as the animal that laughs, and 1 laughter, as wo know, is a noise, and sometimes a, very unpleasant one. Most woman are fond of noise. They prefer the declamation of an orator “ full of sound and fury, signifying nothing,” to the quiet conversation of a friend.. Dr. Johnston preferred the noises of London, and the rattling of a coach to pleasant rural' sounds, “ and all the live murmur of a summer day,” in the country. Another literary man studied best near the uproar of a servant’s hall. The bell has always been a much venerated producer of noise. The poets have sung its praises, and Poe has devoted one famous poem to a description of the noise of bells, * Cowper is the poet of noise, and praises, even the hoarse notes of the cawing rooks and the boding owl. Certain savages, endeavour to ,'pro-, pitiate there gods by the noise of drums and trumpets. Uncivilized men go to battle with loud shouts, and in Greek and Roman literature there are many accounts of the strange result of war-, cries in terrorising the foe. Cato the elder boasted that he had gained more victories by the throats of his army than by their swords. We can’t wonder that the Scots have boon generally victorious in battle when we consider the terror-imparting character of their national instrument of music, the bagpipes. Among unpleasant voices we may mention--the excruciating tones of an amateur vocalist; the voice of a needy acquaintance requesting the loan of ten shillings ; the mournfaljingle of one’s last penny against one's keys, and “ the soul-harrowing howl of a babe in the night." And yet the most envied man is ho who makes the greatest noise in the world. ...