CENTURY II. 79 



the air. So as trial must be made by taking some 

 small concave of metal, no more than you mean to 

 fill with powder, and laying the bullet in the mouth 

 of it, half out into the open air. 



121. I heard it affirmed by a man that was a 

 great dealer in secrets, but he was but vain, that 

 there was a conspiracy, which himself hindered, to 

 have killed queen Mary, sister to Queen Elizabeth, 

 by a burning-glass, when she walked in St. James s 

 park, from the leads of the house. But thus much, 

 no doubt, is true ; that if burning-glasses could be 

 brought to a great strength, as they talk generally 

 of burning-glasses that are able to burn a navy, the 

 percussion of the air alone, by such a burning-glass, 

 would make no noise ; no more than is found in 

 coruscations and lightnings without thunders. 



122. I suppose, that impression of the air with 

 sounds asketh a time to be conveyed to the sense, 

 as well as the impressing of species visible ; or else 

 they will not be heard. And therefore, as the bullet 

 moveth so swift that it is invisible; so the same swift 

 ness of motion maketh it inaudible : for we see, that 

 the apprehension of the eye is quicker than that of 

 the ear. 



123. All eruptions of air, though small and 

 slight, give an entity of sound, which we call crack 

 ling, puffing, spitting, &c. as in bay-salt, and bay- 

 leaves, cast into the fire ; so in chestnuts, when they 

 leap forth of the ashes ; so in green wood laid upon 

 the fire, especially roots ; so in candles, that spit 

 flame if they be wet ; so in rasping, sneezing, &c. so 



