The Voice

Dr. Pegg, who was once an associat of Abbé Liszt, entertains the opinión that the voices of singers may be affected by their diet. In those parts of Europe where flsh is the chief article of food, there are few fine vocalists, and the voice in ordinary speech there is apt to lack delicacy of timbre and also dignity. Dr. Pegg has come to the conclusión that the food most desirable for singers is of a gramnivorous kind, yet they may properly include a moderate quantity of meat in their daily repast. He discards the idea that malt liquors give strength to the voice, though they may stimulate its action for a brief time. They had better be avoided by those singers who desire to keep their tones fresh and rich. The smoking habit is not necessarily injurious to the voice, if the indulgence in it be well restrained and températe. Dr. Pegg has no patience with those Prench composers professing to be symbolists who would mingle with music the "potent spirit of perfume." The ancient Romans believed that in perfume there was a subtle power to créate emotion, but it ought not to be used ia combination with music to intensify an artistic impression. The music alone should be all-powerful.