THE TUNEFUL TELEPHONE.

Inangahua Times, Volume IV, Issue 31, 20 June 1877, Page 2

THE TUNEFUL TELEPHONE.

Tteinway Hall, New York, was filled to its utmost eapuity on the nisrbt of the 22nd April, and scarcely standing room was attainable, the great attraction being the telephone. It was the first of a series of. exhibitions in Kew York of thismarvellous discovery, and the crowds thai assembled to witness the performancegave abundant proof of the cariosity it har aroused, and the bold it has taken of the public mind. Already people are •peculating on its supporting the regular telegraph system, and not a few of the more unsophisticated were susgreting to on© another the beauties of having a private telephone, whereby they could sing songs and transmit sweet messages to each other in their natural voices. In addition to the telephone business there was a very attractive musical programme provided; and some beautiful solos and duets were sane, and several airs were happily rendered by the Young Polio Club, but the great attraction was the telephone, and there stood sixteen mysteriouslooking yellow timber boxes, out of which melodies all the way from Philadelphia were to come. They were placed on the top of a grand piano, but at various time* during the programme they were pafe standing on the floor, and resting against ♦he legs of the piano, Max Strakoach introduced Professor EHsha Gray, investor of the wondroU3 instrument and received with loud applause. He explained the workings of the whole invention, and endeavored to make them as clear as pos* sible to a very attentive audience. Then, he said, turning to the telegraph operator, who communicated direct from the stage with a piano player in Philadelphia, who was to furnish the music : " Ladies and gentlemen, the first tune we will bare is • Home, Sweet Home.' " The operator touched off the message, and m- a few moments, in soft dulcet notes, as if coming from a master hand or church organ, that touching air was heard. Every dote was clearly defined, and tlio music was wondrtmsly soft and beautiful. Whett. the tune was concluded most rapturous applause f 'llonred. Many persons, however, were disappointed, as they had expected to hear a first-class fantasia on the piano, and as the notes were so prolonged and so different from the real

ton© of a piano they wero incredulous for a time. The next tune played was " Come Oentil" (Don Pasqoale), and then Mlowed, "Then You'll Remember Me. This melody was beautifully Z™n> j> a \ when the familiar ntf«" of » The Last Eose of flara.her" were heard, every voice was hashed, and a pin could be heard to fall in the great bui.dmg. Loud and continued applause followed, and Professor Gray came forward and announced that wet weather was against sound being transmitted folly and freely. •' The Cagr nival of Venice" followed nest, and th« last tone played was " Yankee Doodle." The whole affair was regarded as a great I success.