Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Psychology, Sound, Crime

People mentioned:

Thomas R Malthus

    Reports on the 'discovery' of a 'new fact in psychology', which is 'that noise produces a beneficial action upon a criminal in proportion to the turpitude of his offence'. Notes that certain City tradesmen are selling imported Chinese gongs to ward off burglars and other criminals. Suggests other implications of this psychological 'fact' including the use of 'pretty Malthusian gongs' in a ballroom 'to prevent young ladies from stealing hearts'.