Before answering, the prætor turned his eyes upon the questioner with a quizzical glance, then replied,—“What you have observed is, from present appearances, true, and we learned that the prætor Indegatus made the selection in accordance with the judgment your discernment has expressed. But, in referring the reasons of his choice to the Dosch Giganteo, he reversed his decision, sustaining his judgment by urging the special adaptation of the supposed objections for counteracting the then prevalent disposition of the Heraclean women for invidious gossip, and their initiation into a staid, thoughtful mood, necessary for overcoming their hereditary inclinations for tongue talk. As I perceive that the question of Mr. Welson echoes your common curiosity to learn the influence of the choice, I will notice some of the effects in their course of development. Yesterday you remarked, while upon the temple walls of the boys’ enclosure, that the whirr of the falling water scarcely interfered with conversation, after you became accustomed to its counter resonance upon your voices, while here we are obliged to seek the screen of a turret, and then speak and hear with difficulty; not so much from the overwhelming loudness, as the confused blending of sound, that renders articulate modulation tiresome. Although partially overcome when the ear becomes accustomed to the impression, still the monotonous replication of variations in kind, without order in sequence, is too close, as the Dosch informs me, in its resemblance to the unmeaning plash of words, to distinguish in utterance those void of affectionate sympathy. This toning influence imposes a thoughtful silence upon those inclined to speak in freedom from the sympathetic direction of thought devisement, encouraging a mood for the study of individuality. The Dosch advises me that a prattling novice, from your race, would soon discover that expressionless words became involved in the wish-a-washy plash and whirr of the falling waters; and with repetition would feel the reflection, in burlesque effect, for the enlightenment of her understanding, when fully sensible of the vague implication, and of necessity would be obliged to limit her speech to the honest expression of affectionate emotions. This, he says, has rendered the cataracts of your country unpopular with your fashionable ladies, after the sight-seeing impression has been gratified; still springs being preferred as a place of fashionable sojourn, as they neither confuse or rival in noisy revel their tongues. In proof of what I wish to convey to your understanding, you will perceive that upon useful subjects of enlightenment, the Manatitlan voice is readily heard by our accustomed ears. But when I pronounce fashionable dress, society, public opinion, theatre, and like synonyms of multitudinous expression, the sound becomes confused with the noisy repetitions of the water, requiring labored and labiate vocalization to make you comprehend their import.