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dcoustic Chdsr-The science of acous- ties, in a practical point of view, has

 been strangely neglected in this country, and in fact, in modern times generally. The ancients appear to have been better acquainted with the doctrine of sounds,

 and to have applied if to more useful purposes than ourselves; for we learn that Dionysius, the tyrant of Syracuse,

 had cavern excavated ina rock, in the shape of the human ear, (which is of course best adapted for the reception and transmission sounds) in which he con fined his state prisoners; and by tubes

 leading from it to his chamber, he was |able to catch even their softest whisper. and thus to discover their designs, &c. This idea seems to have been lost sight of till now, when we arc agreeably surprised to find that MT. Curtis, the well

 known aurist, ilas invented a chair, with an acoustic barrel and tubes, some thing on the principle of the invisible girl, for the benefit of the deaf, and for old persons who are hard ofheafing, and

 who, while sitting in 1t at their leisure, may hear conversation or reading in a low tone of voice, carried on by an indi- yidual in any part of the room. By means of pipes, also, q person whisper ing ill distant apartment can be dis tinetly heard. We have ourselves been seated in it, and were astonished at the ease with which We distinguished the different 'voicesof those engaged in con Iversation insan under tone; and also a tune played by small musical box, (which was as audible as if it had been standing on a table before us) in a room by a hall ..&c. from the one in which the chair is placed. Upon the whole, VIC consider this invention as onc of the most ingenious applications Of the principles of acoustics with which we are acquainted.