Note aa — BOOK IV.

Among the Uses to which the Wit of Man hath employ’d Sounds, we may reckon the Instruments useful in convocating Assemblies, managing Armies, and many other Occasions, wherein Bells, Trumpets, Drums, Horns, and other sounding Instruments are used; the Particularities of which it would be tedious to recount: As that the biggest Bell in Europe is reckoned to be at Erfurt in Germany, which they say may be heard twenty four Miles; with much more to the same Purpose. I shall therefore only for a Sample take notice of the Speaking-Trumpet; the Invention of which is commonly ascribed to our eminent Sir Samuel Morland; but was more probably Ath. Kircher’s; at least he had contrived such an Instrument, before Sir Samuel hit upon his. Kircher in his Phonurg. saith, the Tromba published last Year in England, he had invented twenty four Years before, and published in his Misurgia; that Jac. Albanus Ghibbesius, and Fr. Eschinardus ascribe it to him; and that G. Schottus testifieth he had such an Instrument in his Chamber in the Roman College, with which he could call to, and receive Answers from the Porter. And considering how famed Alexander the Great’s Tube was, which is said might be heard 100 Stadia, it is somewhat strange that no Body sooner hit upon the Invention. Of this Stentorophonick Horn of Alexander, there is a Figure preserved in the Vatican, which for Curiosity sake, I have from Kircher represented in Fig. 3. He saith its Diameter was five Cubits, and that it was suspended on a Supporter.

For the Make of the Speaking-Trumpet, and the Reason why it magnifies Sounds, I shall refer to Kircher; especially to Sir Samuel Morland’s Tuba Stentorophonica, Published in 1672.