Theory of Compound Sounds, 655 
lesce, thereby producing a new succession of 
pulses; constituting a single sound in the place of 
two. This sound is of a peculiar kind; for, the 
pulses of which it consists; are separated by un- 
equal intervals of time, and disposed in cycles. 
The merit of the preceding theory, when com. 
pared with Dr.Smith’s hypothesis, must be ascer- 
tained by contrasting it with a variety of facts, 
which are furnished by the phenomena of com- 
pound sounds, and make a part of every man’s 
experience. For, if it be found upon examina- 
tion to be repugnant to these facts, it will prove 
inconsistent with nature, and cannot fail of dis- 
appointing the inventor’s expectations. 
Were it’ possible for a number of sounds to 
coalesce, and form but one, the compound would 
acquire sensible properties peculiar to itself, and 
at the same time lose the distinguishing characters 
of its elements, some of which are incompatible 
with the qualities of an individual, On this 
supposition, the presence of the constituent 
sounds could not be detected by the ear in this 
newly created being: on the contrary, an expe- 
rimental process would be required to analyse 
every compound sound the first time it. attracted 
a man’s attention, for the same reason that a 
chemist finds it necessary to analyse a substance 
with which he is unacquainted, The abstract 
VOL. ¥. Uv 
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