Page:The Diothas, or, A far look ahead (IA diothasorfarlook01macn).pdf/112

 implying an appeal to the emotions, is practically a thing of the past. As a means of establishing a theorem in exact science, an appeal to the passions is scarcely appropriate. The men of those early periods seem to us like children passionately urging absurd arguments to enforce crude notions. All we desire in a speaker is, a thorough knowledge of his subject, with exactitude and clearness of statement."

While yet speaking, he had approached the phonograph, and made some adjustment, besides connecting it with the tachygraph.

"Now listen," he said, at the same time pulling a knob. To my astonishment, the early part of the conversation just related was repeated with a precision of intonation almost ludicrous. The effect upon me of becoming, as it were, a listener to myself, was not unlike that said to be produced upon a savage by the first view of himself in a mirror. According as the slide was moved, the tone swelled or sank; though there was a medium pitch of maximum distinctness.

"Come near," said Utis, as he caused the sound to lie away to an almost inaudible murmur.

I approached, and found the tachygraph in busy operation. Utis stopped the machine, drew out a sheet of paper, and showed it to me covered with printed characters. These, I understood, represented the words just repeated by the phonograph; though I was not able to decipher the peculiar short-hand in which they were reproduced.

"Wonderful!" I exclaimed, as all the advantages of this invention rushed upon my mind. Here, indeed, was every man his own stenographer and printer! I was no