192 THE NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE. 
have often tried my own with a large speaking-trumpet held 
close to their hives, and with such an exertion of voice as 
would have hailed a ship at the distance of a mile, and still 
these insects pursued their various employments undisturbed, 
and without showing the least sensibility or resentment. 
Some time since its discovery this echo is become totally 
silent, though the object, or hop-kiln, remains; nor is there any 
mystery in this defect; for the field between is planted as a 
hop-garden, and the voice of the speaker is totally absorbed 
and lost among the poles and entangled foliage of the hops. 
And when the poles are removed in autumn the disappoint- 
ment is the same; because a tall quick-set hedge, nurtured up 
for the purpose of shelter to the hop-ground, entirely inter- 
rupts the impulse and repercussion of the voice; so that till 
those obstructions are removed no more of its garrulity can be 
expected. 
Should any gentleman of fortune think an echo in his park 
or outlet a pleasing incident, he might build one at little or no 
expense. For whenever he had occasion for a new barn, 
stable, dog-kennel, or the like structure, it would be only 
needful to erect this building on the gentle declivity of a hill, 
with a like rising opposite to it, at a few hundred yards dis- 
tance; and perhaps success might be the easier ensured could 
some canal, lake, or stream intervene. From a seat at the 
just distance he and his friends might amuse themselves 
sometimes of an evening with the prattle of this loquacious 
nymph ; of whose complacency and decent reserve more may 
be said than can with truth of every individual of her sex; 
since she is “neither backward in her discourse, nor too 
obtrusive with it.” 
© This shows thee why, whilst men, through caves and groves 
Call their lost friends, or mourn unhappy loves, 
The pitying rocks, the groaning caves return 
Their sad complaints again, and seem to mourn: 
