AIE: ECHOES, SOUNDS. 19 



the first time I happened on this kind of experiment was when I was a scholar in Oxford, walking 

 and singing under Merton-Colledge gate, which is a Gothique irregular vaulting, I perceived that 

 one certain note could be returned with a lowd humme, which was C. fa, ut, or D. sol, re ; I doe not 

 now well remember which. I have often observed in quires that at certain notes of the organ the 

 deske would have a tremulation under my hand. So will timber ; so will one's hat, though a spongie 

 thing, as one holds it under one's arm at a musique meeting. These accidents doe make me reflect 

 on the brazen or copper Tympana, mentioned by Vitruvius, for the clearer and farther conveying 

 the sound of the recitatores and musicians to the auditors. I am from hence induc't to be of 

 opinion that these tympana were made according to such and such proportions, suitable to 

 such and such notes. 



Mersennus, or Kircher, sayes, that one may know what quantity of liquor is in the vessel by the 

 sound of it, knowing before the empty note. I have severall times heard great brasse pannes ring 

 by the barking of a hound ; and also by the loud voice of a strong man. (The voice, if very strong 

 and sharp, will crack a chinking glass. J. EVELYN.) 



[I have been favoured with a confirmation of this note of Evelyn from the personal experience 

 of my old friend, Mr. Brayley, who was present at a party on Ludgate Hill, London, many years 

 ago, when Mr. Broadhurst, the famed public vocalist, by singing a high note, caused a wine glass on 

 the table to break, the bowl being separated from the stem. J. B.] 



After the echos I would have the draught of the house of John Hall, at Bradford, Esq., 

 which is the best built house for the quality of a gentleman in Wilts. It was of the best 

 architecture that was commonly used hi King James the First's raigne. It is built all of freestone, 

 full of windowes, hath two wings : the top of the house adorned with railes and baristers. There 

 are two if not three elevations or ascents to it : the uppermost is adorned with terrasses, on which 

 are railes and baristers of freestone. It faceth the river Avon, which lies south of it, about two 

 furlongs distant : on the north side is a high hill. Now, a priori, I doe conclude that if one were on 

 the south side of the river opposite to this elegant house, that there must of necessity be a good echo 

 returned from the house ; and probably if one stand east or west from the house at a due distance, 

 the wings will afford a double echo. 



[Part of this once fine and interesting mansion still remains, but wofully degraded and mutilated. 

 It is called Kingston House, having been formerly the residence of a Duke of Kingston. It appears 

 to have been built by the same architect as the mansion of Longleat, which was erected between 

 the years 1567 and 1579, and for which, it is believed, John of Padua was employed to make 

 designs. J. B.] 



