Sounds have a great power in these as in most other passions.

I do not mean words, because words do not affect simply by their sounds, but by means altogether different.

Excessive loudness alone is sufficient to overpower the soul, to suspend its action, and to fill it with terror.

The noise of vast cataracts, raging storms, thunder, or artillery, awakes a great and awful sensation in the mind, though we can observe no nicety or artifice in those sorts of music.

The shouting of multitudes has a similar effect; and by the sole strength of the sound, so amazes and confounds the imagination, that, in this staggering and hurry of the mind, the best established tempers can scarcely forbear being borne down, and joining in the common cry, and common resolution of the crowd.
SECTION XVIII.
SUDDENNESS.
A sudden beginning, or sudden cessation of sound of any considerable force, has the same power.