ner inanimates proportionate, and having (as seemeth) a conformity with the organs of the senses; as colours, a mirror, that is crystalline like the eye; sounds, the places of reverberation, which seem, likewise, to resemble the bone and cavern of the ear. cured of cataracts of the eyes, when the little silver needle moved over the very pupil of his eye, and did touch it, he, without any medium, (that silver needle being far narrower than the pupil itself of the eye,) saw perfectly the needle. The second, that the cave of the ear is distinctly inter Both work diversely, accordingly as they have posed before the organ of hearing, so as, being their mediums well or ill disposed. To both the medium the most conducible and propitious is the air. In both the stretching of the sense, and, as it were, its erection to perceiving, availeth somewhat in more nice objects. They differ in these: The species of visibles appear to be as if emissions of beams from the visible body, almost like odours. But the species of audibles appear more to partake of a local motion, like the percussions which are made in the air: that whereas bodies for the most part work in two manners, by communication of their nature, or by an impression or signature of their motion, that diffusion in visibles appeareth more to partake of the former manner; in audibles, of the latter. The dilatation of sounds appears to be more evidently carried by the air than of visibles. For I judge that a vehement wind shall not so much hinder any visible afar off, as a sound; I understand the wind blowing contrary. It is a notable difference, whence also many less differences flow, that visibles (original light excepted) are not carried but by right lines, whilst sounds are carried by arcuate lines. Hence it happens, that visibles confound not one another, that are represented together: sounds contrarily. Hence it happens, that the solidity of the substance seems not greatly to hinder sight, provided only the positions of the parts of the body be after a simple order and with straight passages, as in glass, water, crystal, diamond; but a little silk or linen cloth breaks the sight, though they be bodies very thin and porous; but cloths of this kind little or nothing hinder hearing, which those solids do exceedingly. Hence it happens, that unto the reverberation of visibles a small mirror suffices, or like transpicuous body, let it be only placed in a right line, where the visibles pass; but unto making of the reverberation of echo, it needeth also to confine the sound from the side, because it is carried to all sides. The visible object is further carried, in proportion, than sound. Visibles, too nearly approached to the eye, are not so well seen as at some little distance, so as the beams may meet in a more acute angle; but in hearing, the nearer the better. But herein there may be twofold error. The first, because to seeing there is required light; but if the object be brought very near to the eye, this is shut out. For I have heard of one trustworthy, which was without, the sound is altogether unable to touch the bone and membrane of hearing. The species of sight are more swiftly conveyed than sounds, as appeareth in the flash and report of guns; also in lightning and thunder, where the thunder is heard after a while. I conceive also that the species of sound do hang longer in the air than visibles. For, although neither do these perish on the instant, as we see in a ring spinning, and lute-strings fillipped, and in twilight and the like; yet I deem that sounds, for that they are carried by the wind, stay longer. The beams of light being gathered, induce heat also, which is an action diverse from the visible quality. In like manner, if it be true that shouts have cast down birds flying over, that is also an action exceedingly diverse from the audible quality. There seemeth not in visibles to be found an object as odious, and noisome to the sense, as in audibles; but they affect it more evenly; for things foul to sight rather offend by moving of the fancy concerning foul things than of themselves; but in audibles the grating of a saw that is sharpened, and other like sounds, cause a horror; and a discordant note in music is straightways refused and loathed. It is not assured, that there is refraction in sounds, as in beams. But, doubtless, sounds do rebound; but that is to be ascribed to reflection. For, I do not think, if sounds pass through diverse mediums, as air, cloth, wood, that there be one place of the sound, where it is carried, another where it is heard, which is the property of refraction; but refraction seems to depend upon action, in right lines, which pertains not to sound. But contraction of sound, and its dilatation, according to the disposition of the medium, happens, undoubtedly, as in the speaking of puppets, and under water: the sound is contracted within that cell, which abroad is dispersed; as by mirrors visibles are dilated and contracted. A tremulous medium, (as smoke in visibles) makes the visible objects also to tremble; but in sounds nothing such is yet found, unless, perchance, the rise and fall by winds. For the trembling in the nightingale-pipe is trembling of the percussion, not of the medium. Going from great light into the dark, or out of the dark into the light, the sight is some httle confused; but whether the like be after very loud noises, or a great silence, would be inquired. Of the Quickness of the Generation and Extinction | is, at King's College, in Cambridge, a certain of Sound, and the time in which they are effected. wooden building, in which there hang bells, and that when the bells ring, it is shaken. But whatsoever that hidden moticn be, which is sound, it appears that neither is it engendered without perceptible motion in the first pulsation, and that again by the perceptible motion of the air it is carried or hindered. All sound is exceeding quickly generated, and quickly perishes. But the swiftness of its motion and of its differences, appears a thing not so wonderful. For the motion of the fingers upon a lute, or of the breath in the pipe or flute, are found to be exceedingly swift: and the tongue itself (no very exquisite organ) goes through as many motions as letters; but that sounds should not only be so speedily generated but that they should also, by their momentary force and impression, as it were, suddenly fill so great space, is matter worthy of the highest admiration. For instance, a man in the middle of a field, speaking aloud, is heard for a quarter of a mile, in a round, and that in articulate words, and these hanging in every little portion of the air, and all in a space of time far less, perhaps, than a minute. To inquire of the space of time in which sound is conveyed. It can be found thus. Let man stand in a steeple by night; let another stand in the field, a mile off, perhaps, or as far as the bell can be heard, and let him have ready a torch lighted, but covered. Then let him in the steeple strike the bell: then let the other, who stands in the plain, as soon as he hears it, lift the torch: in this way, by the space of time between the striking of the bell and the seeing of the torch, shall he that stands in the steeple discover the time of the motion of the sound. In guns, the flame is seen sooner than the report is heard, although the flame follow the discharging of the ball; so as the flash issues later, but sooner strikes the sense. Whence it is rightly gathered, that the beams visible are more speedily diffused, and arrive, than the species or impressions of sound. Of the Affinity, or Non-affinity, which Sound hath with the Motion, local and perceptible, of the Air in which it is carried. Sound doth not appear manifestly and actually to shake and trouble the air, as doth wind; but the motions of sound appear to be effected by spiritual species; for thus we must speak, until something more assured shall be found. So as I conceive that a very loud sound of one shouting, at a little distance from the very motion of the breath, shall scarcely stir any trembling aspen leaf, or straw, or flame. But in greater pulsations there is found a very bodily and actual motion of the air; but whether that proceed from the motion itself which generates sound, or from a collateral cause, or some concomitants, appeareth not. Thunder-claps sometimes make glass windows to tremble, and even walls: I think, also, that ordnance let off, or explosions of mines, do the same. A word quietly uttered, which at a distance perhaps of thirty feet can be heard, will yet hardly stir the flame of a candle, that is held within a foot of the mouth; whilst blowing a little strongly with the mouth, shall make the flame to waver, at a much greater distance. The sound of bells, and the like, comes louder, and goes off more dully, as the wind blows towards the ear, or against the sound. The same happens in a shout, which being uttered against the wind, is not heard so far. It is delivered, that through vast shouts of numbers applauding and cries of rejoicing, the air has been so broken or rarefied, that birds flying over have fallen down. There runs an opinion that the noise of many bells ringing in populous cities is good against thunder and pestilence. Some places and buildings are certainly reported to be so vaulted, that if one speak in them, and (as the report hath it) against the wall, in one part of the building, his words shall be better heard at some distance from the voice than close at hand. I have observed, sitting in a coach with one side of the boot down, and the other up, that a beggar crying on the closed side of the coach hath seemed to cry on the open side; so as the voice was plainly repercussed, and went round, or at the least, whilst it sounded on all sides, it seemed to be heard on that side, on which it did best reach the sense. If a candle be held to the wind-hole of a drum, and the drum be beat, the flame is shaken and extinguished. The same happens in winding of a hunter's horn, if the candle be brought near the mouth of the horn, &c. Even the exquisite differences which sound takes, and carries them with it, show that these delicate affections are not continued local motions. For seals, in a matter fitly prepared, make exquisite impressions; so as in the generation of sound this same, perhaps, might happen. But the dilatation and continuance sort not, especially_in liquids: but those exquisite differences we understand of articulate voices and musical tones. But of this matter altogether (videlicet, what relation and correspondency sound has to the local motion of the air) let inquiry be more diligently made; not by the way, whether? (which sort of question in matters of this kind has ruined all,) but by the way, how far? and that not by arguments discursive, but by opposite experiments And I remember, if I mistake not, that there and crucial instances. Of the Communication of the Air percussed and elided with the ambient Air, and Bodies, or their Spirits. In the striking of a bell, the sound given by chiming upon the bell with a hammer on the outside, and by the tongue within, is of the same tone. So that the sound yielded by the chiming upon the outside, cannot be generated by the collision of the air between the hammer and the outside of the bell, since it is according to the concave of the bell within. And if it were a flat plate of brass, and not concave, the sound should, I think, be different. so produced, as it hath some communication with the body of the flute, or pipe. For there is one sound produced in a trumpet of wood, another in one of brass; another, I judge, if the trumpet were lined within, or perhaps even covered, on the outside, with silk or cloth: one perchance if the trumpet were wet, another if dry. I conceive, likewise, in virginals, or the viol, if the board upon which the strings are strained were of brass, or of silver, it should yield a somewhat different sound. But of all these things let there be better inquiry. Further, in respect of the communication, it would be inquired, what the diversity and ineIf there be a rift in the bell, it gives a hoarse quality of bodies may do; as if three bells should sound, not pleasant or grateful. It would be known how the thickness of the percussed body may affect the sound, and how far forth as if, of the same concave, one bell should be thicker, another thinner. I have proved in a bell of gold, that it gave an excellent sound, nothing worse, yea, better, than a bell of silver or of brass. But money of gold rings not so well as money of silver. Empty casks yield a deep and resounding sound, full ones a dull and dead sound. But in the viol, and the lute, and other such, although the first percussion be between the string and the exterior air, yet that air straight communicates with the air in the belly, or concave of the viol or lute. Wherefore, in instruments of this kind is ever some perforation made, that the outward air may communicate with the confined air, without which, the sound would be dull and dead. Let there be a trial made of the nightingalepipe, that it be filled with oil, and not with water; and let it be noted, how much softer or more obtuse the sound shall be. be made to hang, the one within the other, with some space of air interposed, and the outer bell were chimed upon with a hammer, what sound it should give, in respect of a single bell. or Let a bell be covered on the outside with cloth silk, and let it be noted, when the bell is struck by the tongue within, what that covering shall do to the sound. If there were in a viol a plate of brass, or of silver, pierced with holes, in place of that of wood, it would be seen what this shall do to the sound. There are used in Denmark, and are even brought hither, drums of brass, not of wood, less than those of wood, and they give, I think, a louder sound. The agitation of the air by great winds shall not, I think, yield much sound, if woods, waves, buildings, or the like be away; yet is it received that, before tempests, there be some murmurings made in woods, albeit to the sense the blast be not yet perceived, nor do the leaves stir. Three chapters are deficient, which there wanted lel When sound is created between the breath and the percussed air, as in a pipe, or flute, it is yet sure to completing. GENERAL INDEX. ABDUCTION of women made a capital offence, i. 333. | Advice upon importing foreign goods, ii. 386; to Abimelech, ii. 270. Abjuration and exiles, cases of and proceedings therein, Abner, murder of by Jacob, not forgotten, ii. 322. Abridgments of laws, opinion on the use of them, Abuse of excommunication, ii. 428. Abuses in the penal laws, ii. 237. Acceleration and clarification of liquors, ii. 47. Achaians, comparison of the state of to a tortoise, by Actron and Pentheus, or a curious man, i. 294. Action and contemplation, union between, i. 173, 174; Actions, all men drawn into by pleasure, hor.our, and Active, force of quantity in the, ii. 460. ministers, ii. 376; concerning Indian wealth, ii. 387 Eneas Sylvius, his saying of the Christian religion, Esculapius and Circe, exposition of, credulity by fable Æsop's fable of the two sons digging for gold, i. 172. Affectation. No affectation in passion, i. 45; to use studies too much for ornament is affectation, i. 55. Agathocles, conduct to the captive Syracusans, i. 114. Age will not be defied, i. 39; essay on youth and, i. Agricultural experiments, ii. 464. Actium, battle of, decided the empire of the world, Agrippina, preference of empire, i. 183. i. 38. Actor, Vibulenus, his artifice, i. 218. Adam's employment in Paradise, i. 175. Adam, fall of, set forth by the fable of Pan, i. 290. Adjournment should be to a day certain, ii. 495. Admiralties and merchandising several, one of the Adoration the highest honour amongst the heathens, Adrian, a learned prince, i. 178. Adrian de Castello, the pope's legate, made Bishop of Adrian VI., advice to him respecting Pasquil, i. 109. Advancement in life. i. 231; of learning, notice of, Adversity, strength of, ii. 488; Essay of, i. 14. VOL. III.-69 Agues, what wines best for, ii. 10; use of hartshorn Air, transmutation of into water, ii. 10, 19; Jiversity Air and water, experiments as to weight in, ii. 463. Airs, experiment touching, ii. 249. 185. Albans, the Lord St., to a friend, believing his own Albans, the Lord St., to the same humble servant, em- Albans, from Lord St., praying that the king will let Albans, from Lord St., to the king, thanking him for 2 z 2 of Spain, ii. 235. Albans, from Lord St., to the king, praying for a con- | Alphonso the Wise compiled the digest of the laws Albans, Lord St., to the Lord Treasurer Marlborough, iii. 191. Albans, to the Lord St., from Buckingham, promising Albans, to the Lord St., from Buckingham, touching Albans, to the Lord St., from Buckingham, thanking Albans, to the Lord St., from the Marquis of Bucking- Albans, to the Lord St., from Buckingham, iii. 185. Albert Durer, his mode of painting, i. 49. Alchymy, white and red, ii. 459; advantages of to Alcibiades, of high spirit, yet beautiful, i. 49; advice Alcohol, a powder made of, ii. 99. Alexander, body of, found, ii. 104; Livy's saying of Alien enemy, law respecting, ii. 169. Alien friend, may have movable goods and personal Alienations, office of compositions for, iii. 319. Allegiance, cannot be applied to the law or kingdom, Alliance with Holland, ii. 383. Almonds, oil of, mixed with spirits of wine, ii. 465. Alteration of religion by Elizabeth, ii. 445. Ambassadors, how to choose, ii. 382. Amiens, Spaniards beaten out of, ii. 200, 213. Ancient history only fragments, i. 189. Ancients, inventors consecrated by the, i. 207; ho- Andrews, Bishop, ii. 435. Ante-nati and post-nati of Scotland, ii. 144, 154, 159, Anticipations of the second philosophy, iii. 521. Antiochia, wholesome air of, ii. 128. Antipathy and sympathy of men's spirits, ii. 137; œ- |