811 SOUND. 



It is stated upon the authority of Doctor Clark, who heard 

 the sound of a sea-fight at a distance of 130 miles; and the 

 cannonade of a naval engagement in 1672, between the 

 Dutch and the English, was heard across England as far as 

 Shrewsbury, and even in Wales, a distance of above 200 

 miles. 



FREDERICK. 



I have often seen in shops a speaking-pipe, by means of 

 which people give directions to others below. 



MRS. F. 



Yes; and, of course, you understand the principle of its 

 invention. The difficulty in transmitting sounds arises from 

 sound spreading and losing itself in the surrounding air: 

 confine it, and you can convey it to an immense distance. 



ESTHER. 



When you took us last year to see Carisbrook Castle, I 

 recollect that I dropt a pin down the well, and we all heard 

 it distinctly strike against the water, though the well is 210 

 feet deep. 



MRS. F. 



In the cast-iron water pipe at Paris, the lowest whisper at 

 one end; is distinctly heard at the other, a distance of 3120 

 feet, 



ESTHER. 



Is the pipe straight? 



MRS. F. 



It has only two bendings, which are near the middle. A 

 pistol fired at one end, blew out a candle at the other. But 

 have you heard of the newly invented bell? " 



HENRIETTA. 



No, aunt. 



