OF SOUND AND HEARING. 245 



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. 



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 

 name to waver, at a much greater distance. 



The sound of bells, and the like, conies 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 utttered 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 reack 

 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, shew that these delicate affections are 

 not continued local motions. For seals, in a matter fitly 

 prepared, make exquisite impressions ; so as in the genera 

 tion of sound this same, perhaps, might happen. But the 

 dilation 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, 



