THE SWEET VOICE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2431, 20 February 1909, Page 9 (Supplement)

THE SWEET VOICE.

Do not talk when you are vexed, the cautious advice of an old lady who has watched several generations of girls -grow up, if you do not wish to spoil a naturally sweet accent. The human voice, most delicate of instruments, is easily set and kept at a false key. When one is excited it is apt to * become shrill and high-pitched. That is why (people who arc easily angered usually have harsh tones, which, as they grow older, are accompanied by ugly, jagged lines upon the forehead and creases about the mouth which massage will not perniancntly erase. Moreover, a woman is apt to be unjust while she is angry and to say -what sho may never be able to recall. One way of avoiding the unconscious cultivation of a sharp voice is not- to get into arguments or discussions of a heated sort, and to remember that the soft answer which turns aside, wrath should be uttered softly if it is to prove efficacious. A mild tone is not only an indication of gentle breeding, but of a strong, self-containing nature. The quiet reserve of a well-balanced character expresses itself naturally _ in calm, even tones, and more faithfully depicts the mind than the facial expression or gestures. Only one degree less annoying than sharp tones are the accents of a mournful, dragging, whining woman. This savours distinctlv of affectation and of striving after theatrical effect on the wroim side of the footlights. It is a mistake to try to toll anything to anyone when you are. in a great hurry, as you are certain to slur word terminations or fail to give every syllable its duo value. Tl l habit of so doing is readily acquired, yet many people regard it as ovideuce of lack of traini’ftcr or of education.