THE WORLD STRUCK STONE-DEAF.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XX, Issue XIX, 7 May 1898, Page 587

THE WORLD STRUCK STONE-DEAF.

WILL THIS HAPPEN IN 1899? The wonderful spots on the sun have been chief objects of interest to astronomers for some time past, and very puzzling phenomena have they proved. Professor Corrigan, of Minnesota, has at length solved the mystery to his own satisfaction. He declares that the spots are due to the evolution of a new planet which will break oft' from the sun in November. 1899. and will cause such a convulsion in the solar system as will destroy the earth and all living things thereon. An English astronomer whom a ■Stories’ man consulted regarding the matter, whilst supporting the view as to the formation of another planet, pooh-poohed the idea of it destroying the world, but gave it as his opinion that the force of the concussion when the new planet world swung off into space would be such as to strike everybody on this globe stone deaf. This would be appalling: a calamity which would paralyse commerce, government, art. industries and all social organisation. Only for a time, however. Gradually, from the chaos, a new condition of things would evolve, entirely novel systems would spring up, and these would continue at least for a generation, longer, perhaps, if children were born deaf, or through being born into a deaf world, failed to learn our sounds of speech. If we all were suddenly struck deaf a terrible quietude would settle upon the earth. The calamity would affect men and animals alike, and with deafness woidd eome dumbness, for the gift of speech would soon be lost if there were nothing animate that could comprehend the sounds you uttered.

There would be no further use for telephones, and inventors would busy themselves with a new series of inventions, whose object would be to make sign-speaking and interpretation easy at long distances. Telegraphy would be simplified, and would also become universal, taking the place of the telephone. Where this latter instrument now is would be installed a telegraphic instrument, and clerks who could work them would gain an increase to their ordinary salaries. I n cases where it was necessary to communicate with a great crowd of people electric semaphores would be used. Indeed the whole tendency of the age would be to the development of sign speaking. What an impetus there would be in the newspaper and book trades. Nowin civilised countries newspapers are only read regularly by- about one out of every ten individuals, but if this were the only way’ of learning the smallest item of news, except by being informed through the cumbrous deaf and dumb alphabet, there would be a terrific increase in literature of every kind. It would be all over with play houses as they at present exist, and if actors, elocutionists and musicians have any faith in astronomical forecasts they’ will be very busy’ the next two years making dollars whilst, the world hears; for if everyone is struck deaf there will be no more use for sounds, whether musical, humorous or tragic. What the playgoer will ask for then will be pantomime plays of the order of ‘Pierrot’s Life!’ and spectacular ballads without the music. Living pictures, animatographs. and dioramas will be in the height of popularity.

Shorthand would receive an impetus, but it would not be phonography. Pitman's system would be used for all it was worth for a time, but woidd shortly die out with the present users, and some other system not based upon sounds, would eome into repute. Clerks, employers, public men would all use it as being the quickest means of communicating thought. In Parliament each member would be provided with a black-board, upon which lie would write his thoughts in shorthand for the House to read. Debates would be conducted in this way, and there would be no ‘hear, hears.' It would be more difficult than ever to catch the Speaker’s eye, as if the would-be orator called never so loudly, ‘Mr Sneaker.’ his call would go unheeded. Not smartness in oratory but ability to write speeches in shorthand would be the influences that would impress electors. Churches would liecome houses of prayer almost solely. The most gifted

preacher would be dull if he had to w rite his sermon on the blackboard. Of course music would fail to attract, but picture representations of gospel truths would become popular, and the qualification for admission into the theological institutions would be ability to draw any scene from Scripture off hand. Artist-preachers would be needed to save the churches from desertion. In every sphere of life art would receive an impetus. Our galleries would always be erammed with people, and picture magazines would send up their circulations by leaps and hounds. Accidents would, of course, lie multiplied ad lib., and the dangers of the street, railway station, in fact, all places where sound has to be the warning, would be terrible. In time sight warnings would lie devised; for instance, an electric flash would indicate the approach of an engine. But still the death roll from accidents would be enormous. We should, of course, grow accustomed to being deaf, just as Insects

which have spent their lives in some dark eave and have their eye nerves atrophied in consequence grow used to blindness, but it would be a terrible experience, from which we all may well hope to be delivered.