THE TELEPHONE AT SUNNYSIDE.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1231, 13 February 1878, Page 3

THE TELEPHONE AT SUNNYSIDE.

Yesterday afternoon, at the invitation of Mr Seager and Mr Meddings, a few gentlemen went out to the Asylum to test two pairs of the new, telephones recently manufactured by Mr Meddings. The party included Profe?Bor BicTterton, the representatives of the Fourth Estate, the Loafer in the Street, and Messrs Campbell, Farley, Marshall, and Anthony of the Soldeno Opera Company. The object of the testing was two-fold, one being to try the efficiency of the instruments, and the other to experimentalise with a view to the ultimate connection of the new building with the office of the Superintendent. The experiment was a complete success throughout, and those present were delighted at their first experience of electricity as a conductor of sound. The telephones being connected with the wire running between the two buildings, one section of the party went over to the new building, and the experiments commenced. First the Loafer in the Street volunteered a song, which though not remarkable for any brilliant display of vocalism, was heard perfectly and encored. Mr Seager then subjected the apparatus to a crucial test, placing his watch on the telephone, when the ticking was heard distinctly by the persons holding the telephone at the other end. The next experiment was a most successful and pleasant one. Messrs Farley and Campbell sang a pretty duet at one tele{>hone, which was heard as distinctly as if the isteners had been in the same room. Mr Marshall next volunteered a comic song, which, at its conclusion, evoked roars of laughter at the opposite end, which was distinctly heard by Mr Marshall and responded to by him with another verso. Professor Bickerton then instituted a series of experiments as to the distinctness of sound transmitted by the speaker putting his mouth close to the telephone, then again about three inches away, and lastly speaking through a tin tube, shaped like a funnel, and held before the telephone. Mr Farley sang a few bars of a song in the various positions referred to, and was followed by Mr Campbell, so as to get the effect both ways. Tie result went to prove that the most efficacious method was for the party speaking or singing to do so at a short distance from the telephone. Mr Farloy and Mr Marshall then sang a duet and a cornet and piccolo were played, all of which was as distinctly heard at the further end as if those who were listening were standing near the players of the instruments, instead of being about a quarter of a mile away. The whole of the experiments were, as has been said, a complete success, and Mr Meddings is to be congratulated upon the results achieved by his instruments. It may be mentioned that Mr Meddings intends, if possible, to arrange a telephonic concert shortly, when vocal and instrumental music and conversation will take place at a long distance from where tho audience are assembled.