After giving them a good character, she added that the only bad thing about Scouts was that they whistled.
She pointed out that a great many people already suffer from the noises in the streets of our towns, especially people who are ill and weak. Even small, harmless noises "get on their nerves," and keep them from resting. And whistling is one of these dreaded noises.
I hope Scouts, in going about the streets, will think of this, and tone down their whistling, as a good turn to people who may possibly be disturbed by it.
At the same time, I need not remind you that it is good to whistle and smile in a difficulty, when otherwise you might break out into curses, or into a cry of pain or of panic, or take to your fists (or your heels), according to what might be happening to you.
I have known fellows whistle in very bad times in action, and their whistling has not only kept them calm themselves, but has also made those around them feel calm and cheery, too.
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AN ANCIENT INSCRIPTION.
At Timgad in Algeria there are some interesting ruins, among them being those of the theatre and the baths.
The theatre is a huge open-air one of horse-shoe shape with stone seats rising like steps above each other, and with a row of private boxes at the top.
The stage is a handsome one built of stone with fine marble pillars, and a back wall—for the Romans did not make use of painted scenery as we do—and behind the stage are the dressing-rooms for the actors.