228 
NATURAL HISTORY 
Some time fince it's difcovery this echo is become totally filent, 
though the objecl, or hop-kiln, remains : nor is there any myftery 
in this defeft ; for the field between is planted as an hop-garden, 
and the voice of the fpeaker is totally abforbed and loft among the 
poles and entangled foliage of the hops. And when the poles are 
removed in autumn the difappointment is the fame ; becaufe a tali 
quick-fet hedge, nurtered up for the purpofe of fhelter to the hop 
ground, entirely interrupts the impulfe and repercuffion of the 
voice : fo that till thofe obftrudions are removed no more of it's 
garrulity can be expedtcd. 
Should any gentleman of fortune think an echo in his park or 
outlet a pleafing incident, he might build one at little or no ex- 
penfe. For whenever he had occafion for a new barn, ftable, dog- 
kennel, or the like ftru6lure, it would be only needful to eredt this 
building on the gentle declivity of an hill, with a like rifing oppo- 
fite to it, at a few hundred yards diftance; and perhaps fuccefs 
might be the eafier enfured could fome canal, lake, or ftream, 
intervene. From a feat at the centrum phonkum he and his friends 
.might amufe themfelves fometimes of an evening with the prattle 
of this loquacious nymph ; of whofe complacency and decent re- 
ferve more may be faid than can with truth of every individual of 
her fex ; fince fhe is — — < — — ■ — — — — . 
" — — — — — — qus nec reticere loquentij, 
Nec frior ipfa lo^ui didicit refonabilis echo." 
I am, 8cc. 
P. S. 
