The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

26 NATURAL HISTORY. CENT. II.
proportion of that correspondence is more abstruse; in themselves. But yet it hath been noted, that
whereof notwithstanding we shall speak some- though this variety of tunes doth dispose the
what, when we handle tones, in the general in- I spirits to variety of passions, conform unto) them,
quiry of sounds. yet generally music feedeth that disposition of
112. Tones are not so apt altogether to procure the spirits, which it findeth. We see also, that
sleep as some other sounds; as the wind, the several airs and tunes do please several nations
purling of water, humming of bees, a sweet voice and persons, according to the sympathy they have
of one that readeth, &c. The cause whereof is, with their spirits.
for that tones, because they are equal and slide
not, do more strike and erect the sense than the Experiments in consort touching sounds; and first
other. And overmuch attention hindereth sleep. touching the nulilty and entity of sounds.
113. There be in music certain figures or tropes, Perspective hath been with some diligence
almost agreeing with the figures of rhetoric, and inquired; and so hath the nature of sounds, in
with the affections of the mind, and other senses. some sort, as far as concerneth music: but the
First, the division and quavering, which please nature of sounds in general hath been superficiso much in music, have an agreement with the ally observed. It is one of the- subtilest pieces
glittering of light; as the moon-beams playing of nature. And besides, I practise, as I do
upon a wave. Again, the falling from a discord advise; which is, after long inquiry of things
to a concord, which maketh great sweetness in immersed in matter. to interpose some subject
rmusic, hath an agreement with the affections, which is immateriate, or less materiate; such as
which are reintegrated to the better, after some this of sounds; to the end, that the intellect may
dislikes; it agreeth also with the taste, which is be rectified, and becornme not partial.
soon glutted with that which is sweet alone. 115. It is first to be considered, what great
The sliding from the close or cadence hath an motions there are in nature, which pass without
agreement with the figure in rhetoric, which sound or noise. The heavens turn about in a
they call " preeter expectatum;" for there is a most rapid motion, without noise to us perceived;
pleasure even in being deceived. The reports, though in some dreams they have been said to
and fuges, have an agreement with the figures in make an excellent music. So the motions of the
rhetoric of repetition and traduction. The triplas, comets, and fiery meteors, as "6stella cadens,"
and changing of times, have an agreement with &c., yield no noise. And if it be thought that
the changes of motions; as when galliard time, it is the greatness of distance from us, whereby
and measure time, are in the medley of one dance. the sound cannot be heard; we see that light114. It hath been anciently held and observed, nings and coruscations, which are near at hand,
that the sense of hearing, and the kinds of music, yield no sound neither: and yet in all these
have most operation upon manners; as, to en- there is a percussion and division of the air.
courage men, and make them warlike; to make The winds in the upper region, which move the
them soft and effeminate; to make them grave; clouds above, which we call the rack, and are not
to make them light; to make them gentle and perceived below, pass without noise. The lower
inclined to pity, &c. The cause is, for that the winds, in a plain, except they be strong, make no
sense of hearing striketh the spirits more imumedi- noise; but amongst trees, the noise of such
ately than the other senses; and more incorpore- winds will be perceived. And the winds, generally than the smelling; for the sight, taste, and ally, when they make a noise, do ever make it
feeling, have their organs not of so present and unequally, rising and falling, and sorietimes,
immediate access to the spirits as the hearing when they are vehement, trembling at the height
hath. And as for the smelling, which indeed of their blast. Rain or hail falling, though
wrorketh also immediately upon the spirits, and vehemently, yieldeth no noise in passing through
is forcible while the object remaineth, it is with the air, till it fall upon the ground, water, houses,
a communication of the breath or vapour of the or the like. Water in a river, though a swift
object odorate; but harmony entering easily, and stream, is not heard in the channel, but runneth
mingling not at all, and coming with a manifest in silence, if it be of any depth; but the very
motion, doth by custom of often affecting the stream upon shallows, of gravel or pebble, will
spirits, and putting them into one kind of posture, be heard. And waters, when they beat upon the
alter not a little the nature of the spirits, even shore, or are straitened, as in the falls of bridges,
when the object is removed. And therefore we or are dashed against themselves, by winds, give
see, that tunes and airs, even in their own nature, a roaring noise. Any piece of timber, or hard
have in themselves some affinity with the affec- body, being thrust forwards by another body
tions; as there be merry tunes, doleful tunes, contiguous, without knocking, giveth no noise
solemn tunes; tunes inclining men's minds to And so bodies in weighing one upon another,
pity; warlike tunes, &c. So as it is no marvel though the upper body press the lower body
if they alter the spirits, considering that tunes down, make no noise. So the motion in the
have a predisposition to the motion of the spirits minute parts of any solid body, which is the