_MADAM,_
The Generation of sound, according to your worthy _Authors_ opinion, is
as follows: _As Vision,_ says he,[1] _so hearing is Generated by the
medium, but not in the same manner; for sight is from pressure, that
is, from an endeavour, in which there is no perceptible progression
of any of the parts of the medium, but one part urging or thrusting
on another, propagateth that action successively to any distance
whatsoever; whereas the motion of the medium, by which sound is made,
is a stroke; for when we hear, the drum of the Ear, which is the first
organ of hearing, is strucken, and the drum being stricken, the_ Pia
Mater _is also shaken, and with it the arteries inserted into it, by
which the action propagated to the heart it self, by the reaction of
the heart a Phantasme is made which we call Sound._ Thus far your
_Author_: To which give me leave to reply, that I fear, if the Ear was
bound to hear any loud Musick, or another sound a good while, it would
soundly be beaten, and grow sore and bruised with so many strokes; but
since a pleasant sound would be rendred very unpleasant in this manner,
my opinion is, that like as in the Eye, so in the Ear the corporeal
sensitive motions do pattern out as many several figures, as sounds are
presented to them; but if these motions be irregular, then the figure
of the sound in the ear is not perfect according to the original; for
if it be, that the motions are tyred with figuring, or the object of
sound be too far distant from the sensitive organ, then they move
slowly and weakly, not that they are tyred or weak in strength, but
with working and repeating one and the same object, and so through
love to variety, change from working regularly to move irregularly,
so as not to pattern outward objects as they ought, and then there are
no such patterns made at all, which we call to be deaf; and sometimes
the sensitive motions do not so readily perceive a soft sound near,
as a stronger farther off. But to prove it is not the outward object
of sound with its striking or pressing motion, nor the medium, that
causes this perception of sense, if there be a great solid body, as
a wall, or any other partition betwixt two rooms, parting the object
and the sensitive organ, so, as the sound is not able to press it,
nevertheless the perception will be made; And as for pipes to convey
sounds, the perception is more fixt and perfecter in united then in
dilated or extended bodies, and then the sensitive motions can make
perfecter patterns; for the stronger the objects are, the more perfect
are the figures and patterns of the objects, and the more perfect is
the perception. But when the sound is quite out of the ear, then the
sensitive motions have altered the patterning of such figures to some
other action; and when the sound fadeth by degrees, then the figure
or pattern alters by degrees; but for the most part the sensitive
corporeal motions alter according as the objects are presented, or
the perception patterns out. Neither do they usually make figures
of outward objects, if not perceived by the senses, unless through
Irregularities as in Mad men, which see such and such things, when
as these things are not neer, and then the sensitive motions work by
rote, or after their own voluntary invention. As for Reflexion, it is
a double perception, and so a double figure of one object; like as
many pictures of one man, where some are more perfect then others, for
a copy of a copy is not so perfect as a copy of an original. But the
recoyling of sound is, that the sensitive motions in the ear begin
a new pattern, before they dissolved the former, so as there is no
perfect alteration or change, from making to dissolving, but pattern
is made upon pattern, which causes a confusion of figures, the one
being neither perfectly finished, nor the other perfectly made. But
it is to be observed, that not always the sensitive motions in the
organs take their pattern from the original, but from copies; as for
example, the sensitive motions in the eye, pattern out the figure of
an eye in a glass, and so do not take a pattern from the original it
self, but by an other pattern, representing the figure of the eye in
a Looking-glass; The same doth the Ear, by patterning out Ecchoes,
which is but a pattern of a pattern; But when as a man hears himself
speak or make a sound, then the corporeal sensitive motions in the Ear,
pattern out the object or figure made by the motions of the tongue
and the throat, which is voice; By which we may observe, that there
may be many figures made by several motions from one original; as
for example, the figure of a word is made in a mans mouth, then the
copy of that figure is made in the ear, then in the brain, and then
in the memory, and all this in one Man: Also a word being made in a
mans mouth, the air takes a copy or many copies thereof; but the Ear
patterns them both out, first the original coming from the mouth, and
then the copy made in the air, which is called an Eccho, and yet not
any strikes or touches each others parts, onely perceives and patterns
out each others figure. Neither are their substances the same, although
the figures be alike; for the figure of a man may be carved in wood,
then cut in brass, then in stone, and so forth, where the figure may
be always the same, although the substances which do pattern out the
figure are several, _viz._ Wood, Brass, Stone, &c. and so likewise
may the figure of a stone be figured in the fleshy substance of the
Eye, or the figure of light or colour, and yet the substance of the
Eye remains full the same; neither doth the substantial figure of a
stone, or tree, patterned out by the sensitive corporeal motions, in
the flesh of an animal eye, change from being a vegetable or mineral,
to an animal, and if this cannot be done by nature, much less by art;
for if the figure of an animal be carved in wood or stone, it doth not
give the wood or stone any animal knowledg, nor an animal substance,
as flesh, bones, blood, &c. no more doth the patterning or figuring
of a Tree give a vegetable knowledg, or the substance of wood to the
eye, for the figure of an outward object doth not alter the substance
that patterns it out or figures it, but the patterning substance doth
pattern out the figure, in it self, or in its own substance, so as the
figure which is pattern'd, hath the same life and knowledg with the
substance by and in which it is figured or pattern'd, and the inherent
motions of the same substance; and according as the sensitive and
rational self-moving matter moves, so figures are made; and thus we
see, that lives, knowledges, motions and figures are all material, and
all Creatures are indued with life, knowledg, motion and figure, but
not all alike or after the same manner. But to conclude this discourse
of perception of Sound, the Ear may take the object of sound afar off,
as well as at a near distance; not onely if many figures of the same
sound be made from that great distance, but if the interposing parts
be not so thick, close, or many as to hinder or obscure the object from
the animal Perception in the sensitive organ; for if a man lays his
Ear near to the Ground, the Ear may hear at a far distance, as well
as the Eye can see, for it may hear the noise of a troop afar off,
perception being very subtil and active; Also there may several Copies
be made from the Original, and from the last Copy nearest to the Ear,
the Ear may take a pattern, and so pattern out the noise in the organ,
without any strokes to the Ear, for the subtil matter in all Creatures
doth inform and perceive. But this is well to be observed, that the
figures of objects are as soon made, as perceived by the sensitive
motions in their work of patterning. And this is my Opinion concerning
the Perception of Sound, which together with the rest I leave to your
Ladyships and others wiser Judgment, and rest,
Madam,
_Your faithful Friend_
_and Servant._
[1] _Ch._ 29. _a._ 1.