Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 September 1893 — French in the Telephone. [ARTICLE]

French in the Telephone.

The French language, it appears, is better adapted to the purpose of the telephone than the English. It is stated that the large number of sibilant or hiss syllables in English renders it a less easy and accurate means of communication. Some English words are especially difficult of transmission by telephone. The word “soldier” is cited as one of these. Proper names frequently occur in the midst of an otherwise perfectly audible and intelligent conversation which the ear cannot possibly catch. These must be spelled out, involving delay.—[Electricty.

A Brooklyn florist has four or nve chameleons in one of his windows. They are from South America, and seem to have suffered no change in their removal to a cooler climate. They lie upon the leaves of his palms and other tropical plants, and are occasionally found to alter their color a little, though generally it is only from one shade of green to another.