CENTURY II. 89 



fieth it. Therefore we see, that music upon the 

 water soundcth more ; and so likewise music is better 

 in chambers vvainscotted than hanged. 



145. The strings of a lute, or viol, or virginals, 

 do give a far greater sound, by reason of the knot, 

 and board, and concave underneath, than if there 

 were nothing but only the flat of a board, without 

 that hollow and knot, to let in the upper air into 

 the lower. The cause is the communication of the 

 upper air with the lower, and penning of both from 

 expence or dispersing, 



146. An Irish harp hath open air on both sides 

 of the strings : and it hath the concave or belly not 

 along the strings, but at the end of the strings. It 

 maketh a more resounding sound than a bandora, 

 orpharion, orcitter, which have likewise wire strings. 

 I judge the cause to be, for that open air on both 

 sides helpeth, so that there be a concave ; which is 

 therefore best placed at the end. 



147. In a virginal, when the lid is down, it 

 maketh a more exile sound than when the lid is open. 

 The cause is, for that all shutting in of air, where 

 there is no competent vent, dampeth the sound : 

 which maintaineth likewise the former instance ; for 

 the belly of the lute or viol doth pen the air some 

 what. 



148. There is a church at Gloucester, and, as I 

 have heard, the like is in some other places, where if 

 you speak against a wall softly, another shall hear 

 your voice better a good way off, than near at hand. 

 Inquire more particularly of the frame of that place. 



