104 THE ORIGIN OF CREATION. 



hammer was sound for if the vibration of a bell caused sound, 

 then the hammer caused vibration these are only secondary 

 causes ; sound must be something deeper, some innate property of 

 the atoms entirely independent of vibration or motion. 



Vibration also will produce sound from a tuning fork, or a 

 violin string, but that a special vibration of the air for each 

 particular note, speeds from the instrument through the atmos- 

 phere to strike the listeners ear, we deny. If this were the 

 case, how is it possible for us to hear fifty different sounds at 

 the same time 1 



It may be said that echoes prove there must be vibrations in 

 the atmosphere, for the sound waves strike the obstruction, and 

 are forced back again. We disbelieve in sound Avavea 

 altogether, and think it evident that if there were such 

 phenomena, in striking the obstruction, the waves would bo 

 so changed, that a note would be sent back of a different 

 character from the one first sent. 



Taking everything into consideration, we submit the follow- 

 ing theory of sound : Sound is a property of SYMPATHY 



i 

 between the mineral atoms of matter, induced in the first place 



by friction or vibration. 



Thus we hear better on a frosty day, because t,he atmosphere 

 has more mineral atoms in it than on a summer's day. On the 

 like principle, iron must be a better conductor of sound than 

 wood. 



Thus also we can hear any number of sounds at the same 

 time, for the sympathy of the atoms naturally repeats them all, 

 whereas the vibrations of the atmosphere, as denned by the 

 theory referred to, would neutralize one another. 



